Fadhlina said these top scorers will receive offers for places in matriculation colleges by the third week of August.

“Why the third week of August? This is because UPU offers will be made on Aug 6,” she said at the Dewan Rakyat’s special chambers session today, referring to the Unit Pengambilan Universiti.

UPU manages applications for entry into public universities and community colleges, among others.

Fadhlina said the ministry intends to offer these students a choice of either a spot in a matriculation college or one in a public institution for either a diploma or foundation course.

She was replying to Chong Chieng Jen (PH-Stampin) who wanted to know the number of students who have scored 10As in the SPM but have yet to secure a place in a matriculation college.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously announced that students who scored 10As or more in their SPM examination would be guaranteed places in matriculation colleges from the 2025 intake, regardless of race or background.

Today, Fadhlina said 4,877 students with 10As applied for the matriculation programme, comprising 2,610 Bumiputera and 2,267 non-Bumiputera students.

“In the first intake, 3,684 students were offered places, including 2,496 Bumiputera and 1,188 non-Bumiputera students.

“For the second intake, 400 students were offered places, comprising 33 Bumiputera and 367 non-Bumiputera students,” she said, adding that 712 students are still awaiting their offers.

When announcing the 10As policy, Anwar clarified that the existing Bumiputera quota for the matriculation programme would remain unaffected.

In 2002, the government abolished race-based admissions to public universities. However, matriculation colleges still maintain a 90% quota for Bumiputeras, and certain foundation courses are exclusively for Bumiputeras.

Fadhlina reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to maintaining the existing quota policy.

“The quota remains our commitment as well, so there is no concern about how the 90% and 10% processes are managed,” she said.