Kota Kinabalu: Higher Education Deputy Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud urged SPM leavers to select university courses with high employability prospects as applications for the upcoming academic year begin.
“In our universities, places are limited for all students. Selection is naturally based on merit,” said the Sepanggar Member of Parliament, pointing out the competitive nature of university placements.
“We hope our students will choose suitable courses, firstly, those with high marketability and secondly, those compatible with their academic results,” he said during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri reception hosted by the Sepanggar Parliamentary Office in Kampung Inanam Laut, Saturday.
To SPM leavers, the Sepanggar Member of Parliament said:
“Do not forget to purchase your University Admissions Unit online PIN from BSN. Without it, you cannot apply.”
He also responded to recent criticism from a university student who questioned the State Government’s priorities in purchasing expensive car plates while water supply issues persist.
“We welcome the perspectives of our students. These are expressions from their hearts as citizens and students who want to see water problems resolved.
“As leaders, we accept such feedback and hope that in all our planning, we will address the fundamental issues first,” he said.
He pointed out that the Water Department has prioritised filling water tanks at Universiti Malaysia Sabah and that nine tube wells installed last year are helping to temporarily meet student needs during water shortages.
“We are working closely with the Department to address this issue and reduce the water problems faced by our students,” he added.
Asked about encouraging more students to pursue medicine, Mustapha pointed out the importance of strengthening science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem) education at the school level.
“Medicine is related to Stem fields. The foundation must be addressed at the root, in schools.
“At UMS, we have a faculty of medicine to facilitate our children’s entry into medical education,” he said, noting that Sabah ranks among the lowest in Stem education compared to other states.
On the prolonged infrastructure and flood issues in Sepanggar, he said they conduct regular meetings with the Drainage and Irrigation Department and DBKK.
“When visiting villages like Kampung Rampayan and monitoring rivers, we found that maintenance is not emphasised enough. Sand enters our rivers, making them increasingly shallow
“There is a need for regular maintenance by the Department to reduce flood risks,” he said.
In addition to flooding concerns, cable theft has become a persistent issue in the constituency.
Before the recent fasting month, several Telekom Malaysia cable theft incidents were reported in Inanam Laut.
“We work closely with the police in Inanam to monitor the situation and I urge residents, especially in Inanam Laut, to provide information to us. We have networks at Telekom Malaysia to help combat these cable theft issues,” he said.
He hopes that with community vigilance and cooperation with authorities, these infrastructure challenges can be effectively addressed over time.