SIBU: Malaysia will continue to lose talents from the younger group unless due recognition is given to the United Examination Certificates (UEC), according to Temenggong Vincent Lau Lee Ming who yesterday pressed for the issue to be promptly resolved.
Lau, who is the president of Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese School Management Boards, said without the recognition of UEC, students from Chinese independent schools would need to further their studies overseas.
He lamented that the fight for UEC recognition had been going on for years, with no substantial progress has.
Lau, however, appreciated the initiative of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to seek ways for the recognition of UEC by the federal government.
“Adenan has even written to the Deputy Prime Minister cum Education Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, to seek ways to enable UEC to be recognized.
“While it would be thoughtful of the state government to recognise UEC, it would still deny students from Chinese independent schools to enter local universities and the civil service,” he pointed out.
He was speaking at the presentation of a RM4 million grant to 14 Chinese independent schools in the state at SM Wong Nai Siong.
He hoped the Chinese communities and the state government could work together to pursue a comprehensive recognition of UEC throughout Malaysia.
Lau also thanked the Chinese community for their contributions to sustain the Chinese independent schools in Sarawak.
He also thanked Adenan whom he said was truly an example of an all-action leader who walked his talk.
“He has clearly demonstrated his liberal, open and accommodating style of leadership, and no-nonsense demeanor on his stand to protect the interests of the state and its people,” he said.