Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said students will still be able to apply to both institutions, but going forward, each applicant will only receive a single offer.

“At present, applicants, especially students applying to both MRSM and fully residential schools, can end up receiving two offers.

“Usually, MRSM issues its offer letter first, but when a student later receives an offer from a fully residential school, they often switch their choice. To address this, I will propose a streamlined admission process,” he said.

Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, said this to reporters after attending a programme at MRSM Lenggong today.

Also present at the event was Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

On a separate note, Zahid said he has been tasked with ensuring that fully residential schools and MRSM prioritise STEM education.

“This is part of our efforts to nurture more professionals in science, technology, engineering and other professional fields, in preparation for Malaysia’s transition into a high-income and developed nation,” he said.

He also stressed that there is zero tolerance for bullying in MRSM, and that any student found guilty of such misconduct will be expelled.

“I have absolutely no tolerance for bullies in MRSM, and I fully support the Mara chairman’s tagline – ‘You touch, you go’.

“Our goal is for all MRSM students to not only excel academically, but also uphold strong moral values, good character and discipline,” he added.