A total of 41,133 Malay pupils were enrolled in Chinese vernacular primary schools (SJKCs) nationwide as of May 31 this year, accounting for 9.01 percent of total enrolment, according to the Education Ministry.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the figures reflected a continuing upward trend in the number of Malay pupils attending SJKCs.
Steady increase in SJKC enrolment
In a written parliamentary reply, Fadhlina said 34,870 Malay pupils were enrolled in SJKCs in 2020, representing 6.84 percent of total enrolment.
The number rose to 35,129 pupils, or 6.99 percent, in 2023 before increasing to 39,373 pupils, or 8.03 percent, in 2024.
In 2025, Malay enrolment reached 40,035 pupils, accounting for 8.59 percent of all students in SJKCs.
As of May 31 this year, the figure had increased further to 41,133 pupils, representing 9.01 percent of total enrolment.
SJKT records gradual growth
Fadhlina said Tamil vernacular primary schools (SJKTs) also recorded an increase in Malay enrolment, although the growth was more gradual.
She said the number of Malay pupils in SJKTs rose from 227, or 0.26 percent of total enrolment, in 2022 to 241 pupils, or 0.28 percent, in 2023.
The figure increased to 288 pupils, or 0.35 percent, in 2024, followed by 295 pupils, or 0.37 percent, in 2025.
As of May 31 this year, there were 320 Malay pupils enrolled in SJKTs, accounting for 0.41 percent of total enrolment.
Parliamentary reply
Fadhlina provided the figures in response to a parliamentary question from Kangar MP Zakri Hassan, who requested the number and percentage of Malay pupils enrolled in SJKCs and SJKTs over the past five years.
