KUALA LUMPUR: MCA and Chinese education groups have urged the Pakatan Harapan government to honour its promise and recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
In a joint statement, Dong Jiao Zong reaffirmed that the recognition of the UEC was an educational issue and that education should not be mixed with politics.
“Moreover, from a purely academic perspective, a pragmatic, professional and rational approach to the UEC recognition can help Malaysia cultivate and retain more talents," it said.
Dong Jiao Zong is made up of the United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia and the United Chinese School Teachers’ Association of Malaysia.
Both associations also reminded the government that the UEC recognition was a promise made by Pakatan Harapan in its 14th general election manifesto.
“We hope that, with Pakatan Harapan taking over the federal government currently, new thinking and governance should be installed, and promises credited, including the UEC recognition.”
Dong Jiao Zong also urged all parties and stakeholders concerned to submit their comments to the committee that was tasked by the Education Ministry to collect and study opinions on the issue.
“As such, no party should endeavour to politicise and incite racial sentiments on this matter, which is likely to interfere with the UEC recognition.”
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said the proposal for the recognition of the UEC has to take into account the sensitivities of all races and not just any specific group.
He had also said the government was always sensitive in matters associated with all the races in the country to ensure that the people continued to support it.
Meanwhile, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong when contacted said the recognition of the UEC was not a question of if, but when.
“It is not about the (alleged) inaccurate reporting on the prime minister's statement regarding UEC, but rather when the recognition will materialise.
“There is no reason to further delay recognising UEC when the promise was made to do so,” he said.
Wee said Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching had even issued a public statement expressing hope that the issue would be resolved as soon as possible.
MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker expressed similar views, saying leaders should not stir racial sentiments to complicate the situation.
“We should not put colour to education. What’s more important is the content and quality of the education system.
“Prior to the 14th General Election, leaders from both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan had included the recognition of UEC in their manifesto.
“But, only after the election, leaders from both sides are playing political games and stirring racial sentiment in this issue," he told the NST.
Ti also accused politicians of engaging in political posturing instead of putting real effort into recognising UEC.
In August last year, Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said the government would not rush into a decision on UEC.
Maszlee in a parliamentary written reply had said a decision can only be made after a detailed study within the next five years, despite PH's promise to recognise UEC as a pathway to public university entrance.
