PETALING JAYA: Outstanding students have had their applications to Universiti Malaya’s critical courses rejected via the Unit Pusat Universiti (UPUOnline) centralised admission system, only to be given the same offer again under the direct entry system, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic).

He said he has proof of such cases in which students who failed to get a place through UPUOnline were offered a place for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) under the Satu (open channel) route. 

Dr Wee cited a case of a student with excellent academic results who was denied admission under UPUOnline despite appeals but was later offered the same MBBS seat via Satu – provided he could pay RM300,000.

“This is something out of reach for B40 and M40 families. This is not an isolated incident. MCA has evidence of multiple cases.

“Such situations show how the system discriminates against students from B40 and M40 families who cannot afford such fees,” he said in a Facebook post.

Dr Wee also said that it would be misleading to compare Satu to international models like UCAS in the United Kingdom or Australia’s university system.

“Those systems offer financial aid and transparent data. Malaysia’s Satu offers none of these protections. It’s just pay – or be excluded.

“MCA never objected to having two admission pathways but we strongly oppose the structural discrimination that effectively excludes deserving students simply because they cannot pay RM300,000.

“That’s not meritocracy but more of financial means which becomes the deciding factor,” he said.

Dr Wee’s criticism came following a statement on Friday by Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman dismissing MCA’s concerns as “misleading”.

Dr Noor Azuan had said the dual channel approach was a strategic response for growing demand for limited placements in critical programmes such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.

On the fee hikes for students under the Satu channel, Dr Noor Azuan had said the adjustments were necessary to reflect the actual cost of providing high-quality medical education, particularly clinical training, and the maintenance of teaching hospital facilities.

Refuting Noor Azuan, Dr Wee said the explanation given was inadequate. 

“The vice-chancellor’s response completely sidesteps the key issue – how financial ability seems to override merit in the MBBS admissions under Satu.”

Dr Wee reiterated MCA’s call for the 2025/2026 MBBS intake through Satu to be suspended immediately and urged the government to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to conduct a thorough and transparent review of public university admission systems.

In his statement, Noor Azuan said irrespective of the pathway taken, students seeking admission into UM’s MBBS programme must pass a standardised selection test and an interview before they are offered a spot. 

He had explained that Satu provides a chance for students seeking placement in competitive courses like medicine, pharmacy and dentistry where thousands of top students are turned away due to limited places. 

Noor Azuan said the higher fees apply only to Satu students and do not affect government subsidies for UPUOnline students. 

“The fee adjustment is based on identified costs and it reflects the actual expenditure to deliver the programme and sustain the university’s core functions,” said Noor Azuan. 

The fee increase for Universiti Malaya’s MBBS programme – from RM299,200 in 2024/2025 to RM500,000 in 2025/2026 – has sparked public outcry, with critics warning it will make medical education unattainable for most STPM and matriculation graduates unless they are well-off.

The criteria for enrolment in degree programmes differs between the UPUOnline and Satu channels. For UPUOnline, applicants need a minimum CGPA of 3.00-3.80, with a higher threshold of 3.80 for competitive courses like MBBS.

Accepted qualifications include STPM, matriculation, Asasi UM, or equivalents such as A-Levels with AAA grades or IB with 36 points. Additionally, candidates must meet specific subject requirements, such as an A- in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics/Mathematics for MBBS.

In contrast, Satu maintains similar academic standards but offers flexibility for non-current year qualifications. For Malaysians applying to MBBS through Satu, a CGPA of 3.80 is required.