Malaysian Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir has been advised by P. Ramasamy to avoid placing excessive importance on the Times Higher Education (THE) university rankings. Ramasamy argues the THE rankings are frequently subject to criticism due to their reliance on academic metrics that inherently favor long-standing, well-resourced institutions. He suggests the criteria employed by THE may not accurately reflect the performance or potential of newer or differently structured universities. The concern is that overemphasis on these rankings could lead to misdirected priorities within Malaysia’s higher education system. Ramasamy’s statement implies a need for a more nuanced evaluation of university success beyond solely relying on international ranking systems. He believes a focus on internal quality and specific national needs is crucial.