Why Nahvin Muthusamy spoke out at his award ceremony

MALAYSIANSKINI | Royal Education Award winner Nahvin Muthusamy could have just accepted his award for academic excellence and quietly left the convocation stage.

However, the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) graduate felt he should use the opportunity to draw attention to the lack of meritocracy in Malaysia’s education system, particularly honouring his late friend.

“Addressing the issue of unfairness in education has been a topic close to my heart, especially witnessing friends who, despite possessing outstanding qualifications, faced challenges in securing placements.

“I consider myself fortunate to have navigated through these obstacles successfully, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given.

“It’s my sincere hope that by shedding light on this issue, we can collectively work towards a resolution, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has equal access to opportunities and a chance to excel,” he told Malaysiakini in an exclusive interview.

He said that his speech, which went viral on social media when a clip was shared, has...