She pleaded for time to sort the matter out, after the completion of the appeals process for admission to the matriculation programme. She said the results of the appeals were announced today.

“I am aware that there are still excellent 10A SPM students who have applied but have not yet received a place to continue their studies,” she wrote in a Facebook post.

“Don’t worry, no excellent student will drop out. Give it some time and I promise the placement of brilliant students who haven’t got a place. I promise that this issue will be resolved.”

She said her ministry and the higher education ministry have taken steps to ensure that all those who excelled in the examination would have an opportunity to further their education.

Last Sunday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that all those who scored 10As and above in SPM would be guaranteed places in matriculation colleges from the 2025 intake.

He said the decision was aimed at reducing tensions in the education system.

However, politicians of MCA, a member of Barisan Nasional, and a coalition of Indian NGOs have criticised Anwar’s announcement.

MCA Youth said Anwar’s policy discriminated against students who sat for fewer than 10 subjects in the SPM examination.

The youth wing also said 173 students had been rejected for matriculation places, of whom 69 had scored 10As.

Similarly, Agamam Ani Malaysia said the 10As requirement would not benefit Indian students as not many students sit for 10 subjects.