KUALA LUMPUR — The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) is considering legal action against Jitra assemblyman Dr Haim Hilman Abdullah from PAS for statements made regarding the admission system to public universities.
MOHE said it took seriously claims made by Haim that public universities are “selling” places to wealthy individuals and that “tens of thousands of students” are entering public higher education institutions through a “back door”.
“Any allegation that could undermine public confidence in the nation’s higher education institutions must be supported by strong evidence,” it said in a statement.
MOHE is currently examining appropriate measures, including legal avenues, to protect the integrity of the ministry, public universities and the country’s higher education system, it added.
The ministry said Haim made the claims in a ceramah on June 13 for the upcoming Negeri Sembilan state election, and a video of his speech has been posted to Facebook.
“Such allegations are not only extremely serious but also have the potential to tarnish the reputation and credibility of the nation’s higher education system as a whole,” the ministry said, adding that the allegations also affect university management, civil servants and thousands of students who gained admission through legitimate channels.
Haim, who is a Kedah state exco member, said students who used the alleged “back door” did not follow the proper Unit Pusat Universiti or UPU, the centralised online application admissions system, and that it was easier for public universities to get money by “selling” places to those who are able to pay full tuition. – June 15, 2026