KUALA LUMPUR — The Education Ministry (MOE) will submit a proposal to review the existing requirements governing the ownership structure of tuition centres for Cabinet consideration next week.
In a statement, the ministry said the requirements related to tuition centre ownership structures were outlined in the Private Education Institutions Policy Book published in 2006.
“MOE takes note of the various views raised regarding the requirement and remains open to hearing the views of all parties.
“MOE is of the view that the education space should remain open to all parties who wish to contribute to the development and learning of Malaysian children,” it said.
The guidelines for tuition centres were introduced during the administration of the fifth Prime Minister, the late Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, when Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein was Education Minister.
The issue came under scrutiny after several parties called for clarification over reports that tuition centres would be required to meet a 30% Bumiputera equity requirement as part of their licence renewal conditions.
MIC National Strategic Director Datuk C Sivaraj had questioned whether existing tuition centre operators would be required to comply with the reported condition, and whether a transition period would be provided before licence renewals in 2027.
Sivaraj said efforts to increase Bumiputera participation in the economy should not come at the expense of the rights and interests of non-Bumiputera communities through licensing requirements, regulations or administrative policies.
He said existing business owners who had invested their own capital, taken risks and complied with regulations should not be compelled to surrender part of their equity holdings in order to obtain or renew their licences.
Meanwhile, MOE said it appreciated the contributions of tuition centre operators over the years and would continue working with all parties in the interest of Malaysian children’s education. – September 20, 2026