CM: Putrajaya’s UEC stand ‘stupid’

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Federal govt’s refusal to recognise the certificate will cause more brain drain, cautions Adenan

Adenan (centre) sharing  a light moment after planting the `tree of integrity’ during SEDC’s Integrity Day 2015. With him are (from left) Nansian, Soedirman and Talib.

Adenan (centre) sharing a light moment after planting the `tree of integrity’ during SEDC’s Integrity Day 2015. With him are (from left) Nansian, Soedirman and Talib.

KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem is baffled why the federal government is unwilling to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

He said he could not understand why the federal government chose this stand when private universities in many countries recognise this certificate by students from Chinese Independent Schools.

“We (Malaysia) are the only place that does not recognise the UEC. What a waste. In the end, they (UEC holders) will be pinched by other countries. They will work overseas, and we will lose our talents,” he said at Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC)’s Integrity Day 2015 here yesterday.

“I don’t care what the federal government does. I recognise them (UEC) in Sarawak, and I’m prepared to stand up for it.”

The state government recognised the UEC recently. Following the recognition, UEC holders can now apply for state government jobs, apply for Yayasan Sarawak loans or scholarships, and may even be able to study in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) soon.

“You allow foreigners to study here because Malaysia wants to be an education hub, but why don’t you allow UEC holders (to study in local public university)? That is stupid!”

Adenan pointed out that many Bumiputera parents were sending their children to Chinese schools. In some of these schools, about 90 per cent of the students are Bumiputeras.

“So, how can we deny these people the opportunity?”

Besides recognising the UEC, he said he had also helped fund Chinese independent schools by giving them a total of RM12 million since becoming chief minister on Feb 28 last year.

He added he might contribute more in the future.

“Why not? They are a service to education in this country.”

On the state’s emphasis on English language proficiency, he said the language was no longer the sole domain of the Anglo-Saxon people.

“Some people said this is the language of the colony, or British imperialist. Yes, it is, but it is no longer the language of the Anglo-Saxon people.

Adenan, flanked by Soedirman on his right and Talib, signing the visitor’s book when he visited an exhibition by SEDC.

Adenan, flanked by Soedirman on his right and Talib, signing the visitor’s book when he visited an exhibition by SEDC.

“It is an international language of science and technology, literature, and communications.

“Don’t shut yourself off from the rest of the world. You’re not on the moon. You’re here on planet Earth.”

By giving due emphasis to English, the state was in no way trying to put down Bahasa Malaysia, he said.

“We can raise both of them (English and Bahasa Malaysia) at the same time. It is not difficult to be bi-lingual or tri-lingual.”

On ‘hudud’, he said the government would not implement this Islamic law in Sarawak.
“It is not that I don’t love Islam. As a Muslim, I support it, but it is not realistic. The Muslim population in the state is only about one quarter of the total population.

“It is up to the state governments of Kelantan and Terengganu to implement hudud because the Muslim population there is about 95 per cent.”

On the abolition of tolls in Sarawak, he said currently, there was no more toll for those using Lanang Bridge and Asean Bridge.

“But there is one more left (Tun Salahuddin Bridge in Kuching) that is still very stubborn. We will see what happens at the end of the year. I may have good news for all of you.”

On another matter, Adenan said two years in office was not enough and that was why he had asked the people to give him another five years in the coming state election.

“After that, I don’t want to be the chief minister anymore. I’m now 71 years old, and in five years time, God willing, I will be 76 years old. I won’t be strong anymore.”

He said he was not crazy about position or ranking.

“What other positions do I need? I have been a federal minister and now the chief minister. That is enough.
“If I want to be the governor, the seat is occupied. So, (just) give me the chance to run the state for another five years.”

Among those present at the event were SEDC chairman Datuk Talib Zulipilip, Yayasan 1Malaysia chairman Prof Dr Chandra Muzaffar, Assistant Minister of Industrial Estate Development Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, and SEDC general manager Soedirman Aini.