The cabinet has decided to allow students sitting for the SPM examination to take 12, instead of 10 subjects to let some students to take vernacular language papers.

The decision comes following strong protests from various groups, including MIC and MCA, who argued that the 10-subject cap would not bode well for the future of vernacular languages.

NONEEducation Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said students can include Chinese or Tamil and Chinese or Tamil literature subjects among the 10, but they will not be counted as "officially recognised" subjects.

“The cabinet has decided that the 10-subject cap will remain but we are giving some leeway for students to have options,” said Muhyiddin, who is also deputy prime minister, after chairing the 65th National Land Council meeting in Putrajaya.

He said Education director-general Alimuddin Mohd Dom would provide a more detailed explanation on the matter soon.

According to Muhyiddin, students can still enrol for more than 10 subjects in SPM examinations if they find it useful, but only 10 would be officially recognised.

“They can take (more than 10 subjects) but it would not counted for purposes of scholarships and other matters. (Additional subjects) might be useful for example if someone wants to be a Tamil teacher and wants to show qualifications,” he said.

"They can take 12 or 11 subjects but it will not be considered in the 10 core and elective subjects," stressed Muhyiddin.

The cabinet’s decision to limit 10-subject cap has caused outcry because vernacular languages would lose its official recognition at the SPM level.

Under the new system to be implemented next year, the six compulsory papers are Bahasa Malaysia, English, Islamic Education or Moral Studies, History, Mathematics and Science.

In most cases, science stream students have the choice of biology, chemistry, physics and additional mathematics to fill the remaining four subjects, while commerce students would be left with accountancy, commerce, economics and geography.

Detractors have pointed out that this 10-subject system leaves no room for non-literature subjects to be considered for SPM qualifications.

The government has decided to put a limit on the number of subjects a student can take in the SPM examination because some were taking up to 18 subjects as a way to increase their scores.

Samy lauds revision

In an immediate reaction, MIC president S Samy Vellu lauded the cabinet for making the changes.

samy vellu exclusive on tamil schools 080708 06"I thank the prime minister and the deputy prime minister for agreeing to our (MIC's) request," he said.

Yesterday, Samy Vellu had appealed to Najib Abdul Razak to step in and resolve the issue.

"The prime minister has heard and acted on our request," said the MIC president, adding that the cabinet's decision reflected the true spirit of the '1Malaysia' concept.

"The prime minister has understood the feelings of the Indian community. He is a true leader for all Malaysians," he said, adding that Najib should be congratulated for making a bold move.

Samy Vellu said he hoped the issue will be put to rest, and all concerned parties will accept the decision.

"Tamil language and Tamil literature will continue to flourish in this country with the cabinet's decision," he said.

He said that the cabinet's decision proved that all issues can be resolved through negotiations with the government and not through other means.

"We (the MIC) will continue with this (negotiations) on other issues and I am confident that the government under Najib's leadership will strive to do the best for the people of all races," he said.

Samy Vellu also congratulated MIC vice-president Dr S Subramaniam, who is also the human resources minister for securing a solution to the long-standing issue in today’s cabinet meeting.

Several Indian non-governmental organisations had planned to stage a protest over the issue in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 12.