UiTM must not abandon disadvantaged Bumiputeras, Sultan urges

Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has emphasised the importance of UiTM maintaining its core purpose of serving disadvantaged Bumiputera youth, stressing that the institution was established specifically to lift young Malays and indigenous students from modest backgrounds out of poverty through education.

The Selangor ruler's remarks underscore growing concerns about equitable access to higher education among Malaysia's most vulnerable populations. UiTM, as one of the country's leading tertiary institutions, has long played a crucial role in providing pathways for students from lower-income and rural families who might otherwise lack opportunities for university education.

The sultan's intervention signals the need for the university to review its policies and practices to ensure that admission and support systems continue to prioritise those from genuinely disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, rather than allowing institutional mission drift.

The call reflects broader national conversations about social mobility and the role of public institutions in addressing inequality. Education has long been regarded as a primary vehicle for enabling disadvantaged Bumiputeras to improve their circumstances and contribute more fully to Malaysia's economic and social development.