Govt rejects claim international student intake sidelines Malaysians

PETALING JAYA: The higher education ministry has dismissed claims by an assemblyman that international student admissions in public universities are reducing opportunities for local students, calling the allegation “baseless and misleading”.

The ministry said claims similar to those made by Jitra assemblyman Haim Hilman Abdullah do not reflect the reality of Malaysia’s higher education system and risk damaging the reputation of local universities internationally.

Citing data from its MyMoheS system, it said international students made up 12.6% (159,138 students) of the total enrolment of 1,264,541 students in public and private higher education institutions as of Dec 31 last year.

International students comprised 8.9% (56,565 students) of the 634,706 students enrolled in public universities alone, it said in a statement.

At the undergraduate level, international students account for only 3.44% of the enrolment, while they make up 33.74% at the postgraduate level.

“These figures clearly show that international students are not competing with SPM, STPM, matriculation or diploma leavers for undergraduate places,” the ministry said.

It said undergraduate and postgraduate programmes serve different purposes, with undergraduate admissions prioritising Malaysian students, while international students are accepted on an “over and above” basis once local quotas through UPUOnline are filled.

Postgraduate programmes, meanwhile, are open to both local and international students based on academic qualifications and research capacity.

The ministry also rejected Haim’s claim that international students at the country’s five research universities – Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia – are taking up places that should go to Malaysians.

It said Malaysians make up 78% of enrolment at these institutions, while international students account for 22%, with most foreign students enrolled at the postgraduate level.

It said undergraduate international intake at research universities follows an “over and above” mechanism, after mainstream quotas are filled.

“This aligns with the role of research universities in advancing research, innovation and international collaboration. The presence of international students strengthens the national research ecosystem,” it said.

The ministry said international students contribute positively to universities by paying full tuition fees, meeting strict admission requirements, and supporting research output, global rankings and campus diversity.

It also noted that Malaysia continues to attract students from more than 180 countries due to its quality education system, affordable costs, safe environment and multicultural society.

Haim, an executive councillor, said yesterday that limited places in public universities have resulted in local students, particularly those from lower-income families, being unable to pursue their studies.