A DAP assemblyperson has ticked off Universiti Sains Malaysia vice-chancellor Asma Ismail for her defence of Education Minister Maszlee's Malik's remarks linking the matriculation quota intake to language requirements for jobs.

Bagan Dalam elected representative Satees Muniandy claimed it was obvious that Asma was trying to please Maszlee when she said the latter "should be praised for defending the matriculation programme as well as linking it to job requirements."

She also said that Maszlee’s statement "should be considered positively and sincerely without firing up racial sentiments."