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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed that the construction of the Terengganu Matriculation College in Bukit Payong near Marang be expedited, stressing the urgency of expanding educational access in response to growing demand among students.
He said the project, which has been allocated an initial RM27 million, must be fast-tracked to ensure that its benefits can be delivered to students as soon as possible.
“Applicants from Terengganu for the matriculation programme have exceeded 7,000 people. Moreover, in terms of educational capacity, there is no matriculation facility in the state, so this means the need for this college cannot be disputed.
“Although the project starts with RM27 million, once completed it will be a major project in terms of its benefits if we can expedite it,” he said during the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday.
Once completed, the institution is expected to accommodate up to 3,000 students and will be equipped with modern laboratories, student hostels and comprehensive academic facilities.
Anwar said the government remains committed to strengthening education initiatives that can secure the future of young Malaysians, particularly through expanded access to quality pre-university pathways.
He also revealed that the Cabinet had recently decided that students who achieved 10 A grades in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination would automatically be offered opportunities for further education, including matriculation programmes.
At the same time, he emphasised that the existing 90 per cent quota for Bumiputera students would be maintained to ensure balanced access.
“Therefore, in this matter, the smartest children of wealthy urban families are not excluded, the 90 per cent Bumiputera quota is maintained so that the gap between the rich and the poor does not continue to widen,” he said.
In his address, Anwar also urged young people to strengthen their capabilities in research, science and technology, pointing to Iran as an example of how investment in these areas can build national resilience.
“The lesson from this is the strength of unity shown by the Iranian people and the quality of education, research, science and technology that is emphasised, enabling them to withstand being attacked by the world’s greatest economic and military power, the United States and its ally Israel,” Anwar added. - April 13, 2026