Every year, during the UPU system’s kemaskini (updating) period, those of us in civil society and NGOs serving people with disabilities brace ourselves for the flood of panicked pleas from disabled students desperate to pursue higher education yet denied their rightful course choices because of arbitrary and discriminatory restrictions imposed on them.
Despite repeated assurances from the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) that this issue was resolved, it continues to resurface, leaving students traumatised and their futures jeopardised.
This is not a new problem. As far back as the 1970s, disabled students have raised concerns about exclusionary practices in Malaysia’s education system.
As understanding and recognition of disability has grown over the decades, our systems have unfortunately not caught up in terms of accessibility.
In 2021, the UPU’s system was found to be automatically filtering course options for applicants who declared their “OKU” (disability) status, restricting them to “OKU-friendly” programmes regardless of merit. Disabled students who had done incredibly well academically were excluded from competitive courses of their choice like engineering and sciences solely due to their disability status.
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Since then, efforts have been made through various stakeholders, activists and policy advocates which led to the MoHE acknowledging this violated Malaysia’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and agreeing to remove the tagging.
By 2022 and 2023, the MoHE publicly stated that the filtering mechanism had been fixed.
Yet in August 2025, we again see multiple reports surfacing.
In one of the recent cases this year, one student reached out to an autistic advocate: he explained that despite scoring a perfect 4.00 in PSPM (the matriculation programme semester exams), eight of his preferred courses, including civil engineering, vanished from his UPU account simply after entering his OKU status.
Another student who also met all the requirements for a maths programme described being inexplicably blocked and redirected to unrelated courses.
These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a recurring pattern where disabled students with proven merit are stripped of their choices upon disclosure of disability status.
We’ve even sighted the responses they receive. Automated and scripted system messages reveal a poor understanding of what support an autistic student needs.
In one reply from the BKPA (Bahagian Kemasukan Pelajar) unit, the only response given was: “Setelah membuat semakan, pihak BKPA mendapati bahawa calon adalah pemegang kad OKU bagi kategori Pembelajaran-Autisme.” (After conducting a review, BKPA found that the candidate is a holder of an OKU card for the Learning-Autism category.)
No further justification was provided. The system merely acknowledged the student’s disability status and then ceased engagement.
In another case, a student stated: “Setelah menyemak fasa 3 permohonan UPU, data tersebut telah hilang. Saya telah melepasi syarat am dan syarat khas bidang yang telah dimohon.” (After checking phase 3 of the UPU application, that data has been lost. I have met the general requirements and specific field requirements for what I applied for.)
These examples are more than bureaucratic mishaps as they reflect a system that quietly denies deserving students their future.
We urge for the following steps to be taken:
- A clear explanation from the MoHE on why filtering persists, supported by system documentation and transparency in decision-making
- A review of disability-based filtering in UPU and the reinstatement of course options for affected applicants, with recognition that students with disabilities are not a homogenous group and have differing accessibility needs that require flexible, human-centred approaches
- An audit of admissions data from 2020–25 and publication of findings on the treatment of OKU applicants
- The removal of exclusionary disability clauses from course requirements across all public universities
- Creation of a fair complaint and appeal mechanism that protects applicants from penalties
- Meaningful engagement with OKU-led organisations and lived experience experts in shaping education policy reforms, ensuring future education policies reflect the diverse realities and accessibility needs across different disability groups
We do note that this matter has now been raised through official platforms and that the relevant departments and ministries have taken swift steps to remedy the problem.
Nevertheless, we urge for further decisive and transparent action to address the root of this issue, ensuring that such systemic barriers are permanently removed and do not recur.
Education is supposed to be limitless. It is meant to open doors, to create opportunities, to help us reach the sky.
But the way this system operates, it feels as though that sky is only reserved for a select few and students with disabilities are told to stay grounded, to settle for less.
And these are just the cases that have reached us, the ones who found their way to community representatives and spoke up.
What about those who quietly accept these limits, believing this is their only chance to study? What about those who choose silence because it’s either accepting restricted options or losing the chance at education altogether?
This ongoing discrimination particularly harms autistic students, those with learning disabilities, and sensory disabilities, whose access needs differ from accessible physical infrastructure but could be met by supportive academic environments. Denying them entry to courses like maths, computer science or statistics is unjustifiable and rooted in long-established prejudice rather than policy.
We would like to reiterate, Malaysia ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2010, committing to equal access to education.
Yet, year after year, students with disabilities face structural exclusion masked as “system limitations”. This is also disproportionately affecting learners with disabilities.
Above all, education is so vital to everyone. Why are we doing this to people with disabilities? Why are we restricting their choices and making them feel like their dreams and opportunities don’t matter?
At a time when this country desperately needs more youth contributing their skills and knowledge towards nation building, why are we shutting out those who are ready to give back? We ask why we don’t see more disabled leaders, but how can we, when we keep excluding them from the very start?
For most Malaysians, public universities are their beacon of hope. They are the places where the people place their trust, believing education can open doors to a better quality of life.
Disabled students hold those same hopes to sit side by side with their peers, not as charity cases or exceptions, but as equals with the same hope and dreams.
Yet we continually make it harder for them, compounding obstacles and extra costs by narrowing their choices and shutting them out of paths they deserve. Not everyone has the means to turn to private universities.
Have we really stopped to look at what that means? To feel what it’s like to be told your ambition is not valid because of who you are? If we speak of “Malaysia Madani” (civil and compassionate Malaysia), shouldn’t this be where we start by asking how we treat those who most need our solidarity, and whether we are truly willing to open the doors we keep promising will be open to all?
And this comes at a time when Malaysia is chairing Asean, proudly speaking of inclusion and regional progress. Yet here we are, with our own education system quietly closing its doors on students with disabilities.
How do we claim to lead an “inclusive Asean” when our own policies fail those at home? Are we truly making the changes we declare on international stages, or are we content with slogans while systemic barriers remain?
If we are serious about being inclusive, it must begin here, in our own institutions, in the way we treat our own people.
Education is supposed to open doors, not close them. Yet here we are, watching those doors shut for some of the very students who most need them. These are just the cases that reached us, but we know there are many more who stay silent, accepting limits because they feel they have no choice.
We cannot build a truly inclusive Malaysia or an inclusive Asean if our own systems continue to exclude. This is not only a policy failure, it is a moral one.
We, the undersigned, call on the MoHE, public universities and all responsible authorities to act now – and above all, to honour the promise of education as a right for all.
We need to echo Malala Yousafzai’s words: “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world,” reinforcing the transformative power of education for all.
The disabled community needs this more than ever to nurture stronger leaders and shape our shared future. Let our students with disabilities be free to chase their dreams.
Signatories:
Beatrice Leong, Autistic Gender-Disability Activist, Independent Documentary Filmmaker
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS, Consultant Paediatrician, Child-Disability Activist
Ng Lai Thin, Inclusive Educator, Disability-inclusion advocate, Book Author of Small Steps, Big Changes for Preschool Inclusion
Yuenwah San, OKU rights-ageing-gender intersectionality advocate
Anit Kaur Randhawa, Parent Advocate, Advocate & Solicitor
The OKU Rights Matter Project
Mr. Ngau Kao Pin, Chartered Accountant, Father of a level 2 autistic boy
Dr Shyielathy Arumugam, Parent Advocate
Tina Yap Li Yan, Social Worker
Assoc Prof Dr Ezura Madiana Md Monoto, Family Medicine Consultant UKM, mother to 2 children with special needs
Aziph Mustapha, Head of Culture and Engagement, and father to a 17-year-old who’s neurodivergent, curious, and wonderfully wired in his own way
Rafidah Rafizah Ahmad, Disability Activist, Founder & President-Gabungan Anak-Anak Palsi Serebrum (GAPS), Mother of a young adult with Cerebral Palsy
Melanie Oh, Executive Director, Mother of a child born with Down Syndrome
Dr Wong Tze Peng, Speech-language therapist, University faculty member in Special and Inclusive Education
Yap Sook Yee, Disability Activist and mother of a child with Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Ch’ng B’ao Zhong, Autistic Adult, Licensed and Registered Counsellor
Lee Sook Foong, Operations Director, Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation National Centre
Srividhya Ganapathy, co-chairperson CRIB Foundation, Child-Disability Activist, Adult with ADHD
Persatuan Kebajikan Sokongan Keluarga Selangor & KL (Family Frontiers)
Dr Ching Bih Hwa, Developmental Paediatrician, Regency Specialist Hospital
Khoo E-May, Late Diagnosed Autistic Adult, Disabled, HRDC Accredited Trainer, Self-Advocate
Bathmavathi Krishnan, wheelchair-using student University of Malaya 1976-78; Senator at Parliament Upper House 2013-16, 2016-19
Ser Kwee Mui, mother of a young adult with adhd and autistic
Dr Lee Hwee Ming, Rehabilitation Physician, and Father to an Autistic Child
Dr Kuria Dip Silas, Mother to an Autistic Child
Desiree Kaur, Parent Advocate, Project Haans Founder and Kita Family podcaster
Nik Nadia Nik Mohd Yusoff, Parent advocate, Moderator of Autisme Malaysia Facebook and Kita Family podcaster
Faizura Nazri, Mother to an Autistic Child
Joyce Teoh Lay Bee, Parent advocate, Persatuan Alumni Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor (Alumni KDSF)
Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER)
SIUMAN Collective
Hasbeemasputra Abu Bakar, Disabled Disability Advocate
Tay Chia Yi, Speech-language Therapist
Dr Siti Sarah Aishah Suhaidi, Mother of autistic child and Paediatrician
Dr Balkis Nachiah, Medical officer UD14 and parent of autistic children
Datin Soheir Khatib, parent
Alvin Teoh, Parent Advocate
Tracey Tan, Parent
Aaron Lim Hong Rong, member of Dewan Muda Johor (Jawatankuasa Pendidikan dan Penerangan)
Nadiah Hanim Abdul Latif, child rights advocate
Teong Chia Ying, Occupational Therapist
Teo Chai Hoon, parent
Goo Tzy Yeen, Speech and Language Therapist
Tok Swei Ing, Parent
Koh Lee Kiaw, Parent
Intan Nahariah Bt Yaacob, Parent and Advocate for Neurodiversity at Work
Sherrene Teh, Registered Music Therapist
Allida MS, Rare Disease Advocate
Senator (Retired) Datuk (Dr) Ras Adiba Radzi, President Persatuan OKU Sentral & Persatuan Para Menembak Malaysia
Leonard Ng, Spouse & SPELL user
Kwan Wei Yen, Parent
Sah Henn Wei, Parent
Dunstan Lim, Chairperson & Advocate, Sarawak OKU Skills Development Association (SOSDA)
Izyan Nadiah Md Noh, Disability-inclusion advocate, Mother of a rare disease child
Raizil Emeli Juzilman, Parent of Autistic Son
Ayu Syahira Binti Zaili, Parent
Dr. Fahmi bin Hassan, Pharmacist
Jeremiah Liew Yong Sin, Lecturer and Registered Counselor
Mohamad Nur Firdaus Zulkifli, Medical Student
Naziaty Mohd Yaacob, PhD, Director, Xiron ES & Person with multiple disabilities
Miza Marsya Roslan, individual with Rare Disease & Rare Disease Advocate
Ili Akmal binti Mohd Razif, individual with ADHD, asperger and mild autistic
Izzat binti Zaid, registered clinical psychologist
Mohd Khairudin Rohani, Chemist
Darshan Singh, Parent
Surendra Ananth, Advocate & Solicitor
Ahmad Razif Abdul Wahab, Parent to autistic children
Nurulhuda binti Mohd Zaki, ADHD and Registered Psychologist, Founder of Shine and Hope Therapy
Nur Adilah binti Md Nasser, registered Clinical Psychologist
Toh Ting Jii, PhD student with AuDHD, mother to 3 boys with ADHD and Autism
Ivy Josiah, Activist
Nazril Aizudin bin Nasser Ansari, Autistic student, one of the victims affected by the discriminatory filtering.
Dr Goh Xin Yi, Dentist and clinical hypnotherapist
Siti Norziyana, President, Persatuan Dyslexia Malaysia
Mohammad Aiman bin Amri, Registered Clinical Psychologist
Lim Yee Hong, Level 1 ASD Student & Advocate.
Zatur-Rawihah Ismail, Parent
Alicia Chui, Level 1 ASD & Advocate
SIS Forum (Malaysia)
Law Phoy San, Parent
Nur Hana Liyana binti Yusli, ADHD, Level 1 ASD, Autistic Advocate
Tan Shi Yee, Level 1 ASD, Advocate, Accounting Lecturer, Neuroinclusive trainer, PhD candidate, student of Master of Arts in Psycholog
Nur ‘Alyaa’ Basyirah Binti Nor Israj, Autistic and Diploma in Science student, UiTM Tapah
Koh Wee Sun，Chairman of Persatuan Penyayang Kanak Kanak Istimewa Johor Bahru
Chiau Boon Wei, Parent
Chong Chia Wen, Parent
Yeoh Ming Hwan, ADHD Adult with OKU card, Art College Lecturer.
Emelyn Lee, Level 1 ASD
Fairus Farihah Binti Mohd Remly, Former Volunteer for Persatuan Mahasiswa Istimewa Universiti Malaya (Permium), Disability inclusion advocate.
Jack Leong, level 1 ASD
Nick Ng, level 1 ASD
Emma, Former Volunteer for Persatuan Mahasiswa Istimewa Universiti Malaya (Permium), Disability inclusion advocate
Abdul Adieka Amirul, MDD & Type 1 ASD. Autistic Self-Advocate
Gracious Yoong Chen Xin, ADHD and Level 1 ASD adult, self-advocate, student of Master of Arts (Visual Arts) in Universiti Malaya
Ooi Ivan, ADHD+ Level 1 ASD, secondary school teacher
Dr Ali Azman, Consultant Paediatrician and parent advocate, Green Apple Hippotherapy
Meera Samanther, Parent Advocate, Women’s Rights Activist
Vince Leong, A mentally ill person. Digital Marketing Analyst
Jacintha Roland, Parent
Moses Choo, Blind advocate for OKU rights, and former Member (2016-2021), National Council under the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2008
Irene Wong, mother of twins with ASD level 1, Quality Assurance Team Lead, Integrated DNA Technologies PTE Ltd
Stephanie De Souza, Speech Language Therapist
Wo Su Woan, lecturer
Deaf Advocacy and Wellbeing National Organisation (Dawn)
Ahmad Fawaz, Adult with ASD
Dr Cheah Boon Eu, Medical Officer & Neurodivergent Individual
Muhammad Salim bin Harmanain, Advocate & Solicitor with Cerebral Palsy, Disability Advocate
Dr Mastura Mahamed, Academician, media trainer, disability Inclusion advocate and person with cerebral palsy
Alyson Su Ying Yeng, Parent of Autistic Child
Haryati Mohd Nordin, Parent of Autistic Child
Wan Maryam Binti Wan Zulkipli, adult with ADHD and ASD mild to moderate
Christine Lee, Wheelchair User & 126Disability Advocate.
Sam Wong, Wheelchair User & Disability Advocate.
Lim Tien Hong (PhD), Blind advocate for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Nur Zahra Rihana binti Azam, Matriculation student
Fatimah Az-Zahraa binti Amir Farid, Occupational Therapist
Low Wei Lun, Adult with Autism
Mohd Zaini Mat Abas, Co-Founder, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Pondok OKU
Dr Nazean Jomhari, Researcher & Lecturer Universiti Malaya, Co-Founder Yayasan FAQEH
Rohaniza Jamili, Parents of a neurodivergent child.
Derrick Tan Jia Xin, Level 1 ASD
Lee Khiam Jin (PhD), Vice President, Minds Association of Penang, parent
Loh Cheng Kooi, activist
Mariam Lim, activist
Ivy Tan Jia Bao, Board-Certified Music Therapist, Founder of Life Tunes Music
Dr Aida Abdul Aziz, Consultant Radiologist, Gleneagles Hospital Johor and mother of autistic son
Chai Tze Ru, trainee clinical psychologist
Engku Mohd Hairulnizam bin Tuan Ahmad, Chairman, Persatuan Autisme Terengganu (Paut)
Hasbe Zuraini binti Abu Bakar, Committee, Persatuan Autisme Terengganu (Paut)
Nurulhuda Bt Mohammed, mother of a magnificent asperger hfa son.
Tee Sook Sing, Secretary of Persatuan Penyayang kanak-kanak Istimewa JB, mother of 2 children
Chu Maw Nian, father of vision impaired OKU
Dawn Tan, Parent.
Qistina Ellysha Binti Rashid, trainee clinical psychologist
Cheng Miao Shan, trainee clinical psychologist
Karen Kee, mother to a son with ASD Level 1
Norsuriani Che Musa, mom of cp boy,
Samuel Kai Mun Chew (PhD), Interpreter (BIM, ASL and IS — spoken English, Malay and Mandarin)
Nurul Izzah Abdul Aziz, mother of CP boy
Muhammad Khairul Musa, NGO
Vasanthi Govindan, Guardian of Autism teenager
Tau Fong Kian, Mother of autistic son
See Seow Chu, Computing Analyst and part-time teacher
Nadia Mohd Ismail, mother to an ASD Level 1 daughter
Noor Hafizar Hashim, mother of CP boy
Dr. Adli Azam, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Gleneagles Hospital Johor, Father of autistic son
Malicca Ratne, President, Soroptimist International Pearl of the Orient
Dr. Nadirah Babji, Medical Doctor and public health/gender researcher.
Wang Shu Xiang, Physiotherapy, NGO
David Ananth, Charter President of Rotary Club Klang Central
Fatimah Insyirah Binti Ahmad Kamal Peong, teacher at an autism centre.
Rev Ong Bee Leng, Chairperson of Pertubuhan Kebajikan OKU Beacon and Parent Advocate
Teh Guih Poo, mother of autistic son
Esther Ng Zi En, Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Dr Wong Woan Yiing, Paediatrician
Loke Pui Kuan, mother of ASD child
Manjula Aryaduray, Secretary-Gabungan Anak-Anak Palsi Serebrum (GAPS), Mother of a teenager with Cerebral Palsy
Saravanan Selanduray, Audiologist
Kashmira Thiagarajan, Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Dr Izam Suziani Ismail, Autism Advocate & Care partner, SPELL Licensed User.
Ng Kok Ping, Father of ASD Child
Dr Shobhana Sivandan, Radiologist UD15
Dr Sankari Ganesh, Child & Adolescent psychiatrist
Noraishah binti Ismail, concerned citizen
Dr Connie Teo Kai Ru, Paediatrician
Ivy Peik Luo Yin, Mother of 2 Boys with visually impairment
Chai Jing Yun, Autistic adult
Dr Ngim Chin Aik, Cardiologist
Dr Woon Teck Kim, paediatricism
Kok Huey Huey, mother of 2 ASD kids
Moong Lee Peng, mother of a child with Krabbe
Arwinderjit Singh, Dad of twins
Gan Jun Qi, parent to autistic child, Entrepreneur.
Nur Athirah Mohd – Mother of CP girl and Sister at Peads ICU HM
Karina Yong Ker-Ai, Senior Policy Researcher, and Public health Advocate
Ooi Choon Ee, Adult with ADHD, Gym Owner
Nurhidayatul Diana binti Ahmad Zaidi, Adult with ADHD
Sam Loh
Dhania Sorfina Binti Md Zaki Fadzil, ADHD, OKU, Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Founder of At Peace Therapeutic Space
Fahda Nur Ahmad Kamar, Member of the Board of Advisors, Anak Istimewa Selangor (ANIS)
Madeleine Chang Huijia, Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Azhanni bt Che Mo’in, mother to an autistic child
Syuhanaz Saharudin, stepmother to an autistic + ADD teenager
Dr Michelle Chan, parent of a child with ASD
Syafiqah Saharudin, Speech Language Therapist
Dr Louis Siao, Dentist
Dr Wong Leh Chen, Medical Officer
Siti Athirah Saharudin, IT Officer
Erni Fadzila Saharudin, Housewife
CHAN KAM FONG, Teacher( PPKI) mother of a DS
Mohd Hazree Zakaria, parent of an ASD child
Nor Hazairianty Abdul Razak, parent of an ASD child
Mohd Mahanif Mamat, parent of an ASD child
Laura Kho Sui San, Mind Brew, Mental Health Association of Sarawak
Nur Nadhirah Aqmar Binti Izzar, Adult Asperger’s
Hamidah Ismail, parents advocate
Dr Choy Sook Kuen, Parent advocate, Founder Intervention Centre & Kita Family podcaster
Samudiswary Goby, Parent of CP child
Ramanitharan Annamalay, Parent of CP child
Lim Seh Cheen, parent
Chua Hsiao Shang, Parent of an ASD child
Nor Syazwani Binti Aziz, Parent of a Specific Learning Disorder child
Muhammad Hanifah B Mohd Halit, Parent of ASD son
Nurfazila Yanti Mohd Fawzi, parent of CP child
Melanie Cheong Suet Mei, Proud Parent of ASD teen
Kevin Lim Li, Advocate
Sandhya N. Sathesh, sister of adult ASD sibling
Preetha Pillai, mother of ASD son
Ong Yai Peng mother of ASD son
Teo Hwee Joo, mother of ASD & ADHD son
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
