KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has compared his measured response to a student’s question on meritocracy to that of a parent addressing their child.
Addressing critiques regarding a verbal exchange he engaged in with a Penang Matriculation College student the previous day, Anwar expressed that he considered it his duty as a “paternal figure” to address and resolve the concerns voiced by the student
“I explained, I don’t have a problem when people say that the kid was not supposed to ask that, or that she was rude, or that I was rude,” he said.
“It was my responsibility as a ‘father’ to explain (the situation) to her, she was raising a problem and was asking for a solution, (so) it was my responsibility to speak, to find a solution, (which would) not dismantle the principles of the constitution and (the) understandings (involved)…or there will be disputes.”
Anwar said this during a speech at the Madani Unity Tour event in Petaling Jaya, this evening.
The prime ministers further explained that in the event of isolated cases regarding the student’s concerns, they would be brought to the attention of Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
“We have forwarded these matters to Fadlina for thorough consideration and resolution, though regrettably, such instances often remain unnoticed by the media,” he said.
“Regardless of the quota system, if Chinese or Indian students want to appeal after gaining exceptional grades such as 8A or 9A, I will advise Fadhlina to personally handle these cases and provide necessary assistance.”
During a dialogue session in Kepala Batas yesterday, a student from the Penang Matriculation College asked Anwar whether the student admission quota system would be abolished in favour of meritocracy.
However, interjecting her elaborate line of questioning, Anwar urged the student to delve into the historical facts that led to the current system and understand the concept of meritocracy and its flaws.
Anwar explained that in many instances, the government insisted on fairness and did not want to neglect those from rural and poor schools that might be disadvantaged if the quota system was abolished.
He said instead of asking to dismantle the constitution, it would have been more acceptable for her to present specific cases in which Indian or Chinese students with excellent SPM results were being denied from certain higher learning institutions.
He also said abolishing the Bumiputera quota system would mean that PH-BN would lose the elections and that she could be “worse off” if Bersatu and Pas led the country.
Anwar’s response was recorded and posted on social media in an edited clip, drawing a heated online debate on the exchange. – August 6, 2023