Media Statement by M.Kula Segaran, National Vice Chairman of DAP, MP Ipoh Barat in Ipoh on 16thJuly2010 at Ipoh

The Prime Minister must clarify whether his 9A+ announcement means that a student who has scored 9 A + in any subject, including Mandarin or Tamil subject is entitled  to  the JPA scholarship or the JPA stipulated requirement in 9 specified subjects still applies?

When opening the 64th MIC annual general meeting on July 10, the Prime Minister Dato Sri Najib announced that all students obtaining 9A+ and more for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination will receive the Public Service Department (JPA) scholarships for either overseas or local universities.

He received a standing ovation when he mentioned all students would get the scholarship irrespective of race.

In response to his announcement, I had on July 11 asked three questions as follows through tweeter:-

1.      does the “ 9A+ subjects”  refer to the core subjects only?

2.      what about those with less than 9+? No more scholarships for them?

3.      does this mean that the Cabinet has revoked its earlier decision to phase out the JPA scholarships?

However, till today, neither the Prime Minister, the Minister of Education nor the JPA has made any further statement or clarification on the above issues.

In fact, I have subsequently received enquiries from some parents as to whether their children who had scored 9A+ but did not apply for the JPA scholarships earlier can do so now.

I don’t understand why till today the government is not able to make the necessary clarification as surely such details would have been discussed and ironed out before the Prime Minister made his announcement.

Some parents and students are especially eager to know if the Prime Minister’s announcement refers to any subject or the core subjects specified by JPA scholarship application guidelines.

In other words, they are eager to know if Tamil and Mandarin subjects are included in the 9A + mentioned by the Prime Minister.

In the JPA scholarship application guidelines, minimum requirement have been set for 9 subjects which vary according to programme.

For example, for students wishing to pursue medical degrees in United Kingdom, India , Ireland, New Zealand, Russia , Dentistry degrees in Australia, Ireland,  New Zealand , United Kingdom and pharmacy degrees in Australia, New Zealand United Kingdom , International Medical University ,  the JPA guideline stipulates that applicants must “ mendapat sekurang kurangnya A- dalam sembilan (9) matapelajaran berikut ;-

a.       Bahasa Melayu

b.      Sejarah

c.       Pendidikan Islam atau Pendidikan Al Quran dan As Sunnah atau Pendidikan Syariah Islamiah atau Pendidikan Moral

d.      Fizik

e.       Kmia

f.        Biologi

g.       Matematik

h.       Matematik Tambahan

i.         Bahasa Inggeris


Hence, Tamil and Mandarin are not listed as the core subjects for the above programmes.

If the Prime Minister’s announcement means that the 9 A+ refers to any subject, it must therefore mean that the JPA guidelines no longer apply and therefore his announcement must also mean that A+ in Tamil and Mandarin subjects are also considered  in the 9 A+.

But is this really the case? Why is the government keeping silent on the necessary clarification?

The Prime Minister must clarify whether his 9A+ announcement means that a student who has scored 9 A + in any subject, including Mandarin or Tamil subject is entitled  to  the JPA scholarship or the JPA stipulated requirement in 9 specified subjects still applies? 


M. Kulasegaran
012-5034346