THE dispute over the removal of the 30% Bumiputera equity requirement for certain private education institutions has turned to the record of the previous administration.
PKR Srikandi chief Nurhidayah Che Rose has urged Nooryana Najwa Najib to look at the liberalisation policies introduced when her father, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, was prime minister.
Nurhidayah said Nooryana was entitled to question the current government’s decision, but argued that the issue should also be viewed against policies introduced during the Najib administration.
In a statement, she cited the government’s 2009 liberalisation of 27 services sub-sectors, which removed equity conditions in the sectors concerned.
She also pointed to the liberalisation of parts of the education sector, where foreign ownership of up to 100% was subsequently allowed in several sub-sectors.
“If liberalisation during the Najib administration could be implemented as part of economic policy changes, why are changes to equity requirements today being used to attack the government?” she said.
Her remarks came after the Education Ministry announced on September 21 that the minimum 30% Bumiputera equity requirement would no longer apply to certain private education institutions operated by private limited companies under its jurisdiction.
The ministry said the change was made to reflect current needs in the education sector and widen participation by parties seeking to contribute to its development.
The announcement, however, raised questions over the jurisdiction governing Bumiputera equity policy.
MITI subsequently said Bumiputera equity policy falls under the jurisdiction of the Economy Ministry, while noting that it had no information on the Education Ministry’s announcement concerning the adjustment to ownership requirements for private education institutions.
Nurhidayah said the issue should not be used selectively to criticise the Madani government while overlooking liberalisation measures introduced by previous administrations.
“Nooryana has the right to criticise the Madani government. But the equity issue should not be used as a selective political attack while ignoring the record of the previous administration,” she said.
She said the current dispute should be viewed alongside the policies introduced under the previous administration, particularly the sectors covered and the extent of the liberalisation. – September 24, 2026
