Cover image via Wee Ka Siong (Facebook)
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MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong has revealed that two universities are prepared to offer a full scholarship to Edward Wong, the top STPM scorer who claimed he was denied entry into the Accounting programmes of six public universities
According to FMT, Wee said Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) — both institutions linked to his party — have extended the offer.
He stressed, however, that while the gesture was commendable, it should not distract from the core issue in Wong's case, which he sees as social injustice stemming from an unfair admission system.
Wee said Wong, who achieved a perfect 4.0 CGPA and a 99.9% merit score, believed he deserved a spot in the country's top public universities, reported Oriental Daily.
"He feels this is his constitutional right. With results like his, he should be eligible to enter the best university in the country. Why shouldn't he fight for his rights? I respect that," Wee said during a press conference today, 10 September.
Wee also warned that Malaysia risked losing outstanding talent if students like Wong were offered opportunities abroad
"At any time, I can tell you, he'll get more offers. But are you saying that you're willing to see Singapore attract these people to go over there? I don't think this is the way," he said.
Wong (left) and MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong at a press conference on Monday, 8 September.
Image via Wee Ka Siong (Facebook)The case drew public attention after Wee raised it at a press conference on Monday, 8 September, criticising the Unit Pusat Universiti (UPU) system as "flawed" and "unfair"
He noted that Wong was accepted into Universiti Malaya's accountancy course via open intake, but the fee of RM83,800 was almost ten times higher than the RM8,300 subsidised under UPU.
The Higher Education Department (JPT) later explained that Wong was ranked 1,129th among 2,291 qualified UM applicants, with only 85 seats available for Accounting this year.
