Pulau pangkor: The government has announced the formation of a special committee to evaluate a proposal to transfer the administration of the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and the matriculation program from the Education Ministry (MOE) to the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir stated that this initiative is a component of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which will be implemented next year. The plan involves submitting the committee’s findings to Parliament, where there may be amendments to the existing Act to accommodate the proposed changes.

On December 7, Zambry elaborated that the proposal is designed to improve the coordination of student evaluation and university admission processes. This restructuring is part of the broader reforms outlined in the 2026-2035 Higher Education Development Plan. He addressed concerns about potential racial disadvantages, asserting that such claims are unfounded and emphasized the need for a thorough study before drawing any conclusions.

Zambry reassured the public that while the proposal aims to enhance the current systems, it remains in the preliminary stages, and it is premature to speculate on its outcomes.