REPRESENTATIVES from Malaysia’s varied educational sectors have expressed support for the government’s proposal to make the study of Malay and History compulsory for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates.
This includes voices from the Chinese school community, notably the Dong Zong federation, as well as international schools and Tahfiz institutions.
Government Unity spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil stated that the matter was highlighted by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The Minister of Education informed that a meeting was held this week with representatives from various groups, including international schools, Maahad Tahfiz, and Dong Zong, who raised the issue of the Unified Examination Certificate.
“The Minister reported that the meeting went very well, and the government’s proposed measures were positively received by all attendees,” Fahmi said.
The endorsement comes amid broader concerns over school infrastructure costs, with the Cabinet planning to seek further explanation from the Education Ministry regarding the significant rise in the estimated cost of constructing a single classroom, now projected at between RM280,000 and RM520,000.
Fahmi clarified that the cost issue was not discussed during the latest Cabinet meeting. “This matter was not deliberated today, but infrastructure is certainly a critical issue.
The Prime Minister has previously stated that the government intends to ensure classrooms are provided using the Industrialised Building System. We will follow up with the Education Ministry to obtain more clarity on this,” he said.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek had earlier reported that classroom construction costs over the past five years have roughly doubled compared with the preceding five-year period.
This assessment is based on the As Tendered Detailed Abstract (ATDA) produced by the Public Works Department (JKR) over the past decade.
According to Fadhlina, the ATDA evaluation shows that between 2016 and 2020, building a classroom—including the classroom block, stairways, corridors, and toilets—was estimated to cost between RM180,000 and RM250,000. In contrast, for the period 2021 to 2026, costs have escalated to between RM280,000 and RM520,000.
By balancing curricular reforms with scrutiny of rising infrastructure expenditures, the government appears determined to strengthen national education while ensuring transparency and efficiency in resource allocation, particularly as Malaysia prepares for an increasingly inclusive and multilingual schooling system. - January 30, 2026
