UEC recognition awaits formal announcement

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KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has been urged to make a formal announcement on the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Gerakan and Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) made the call yesterday after Chinese dailies on Thursday reported that the State Cabinet has agreed to recognise UEC during its meeting on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has yet to make an official announcement.

It was learned that the Federal Government has written to all state governments asking for their stand on UEC.

State Youth and Sports Minister Phoong Jin Zhe has confirmed this, adding that Shafie’s response on UEC was positive.

LDP Central Youth and Women Movements have expressed their support for the State Government’s move to  recognize the UEC.

Central Youth leader Sim Fui and Central Women leader Glenna Wong also stressed that it was high time for the Federal Government to deliver on its promise to recognize UEC as well.

In a joint statement yesterday, Sim and Wong said Sabah was the fifth state in Malaysia to recognize UEC, following Penang, Selangor, Malacca and Sarawak.

“It was indeed a great news for students in Chinese independent secondary schools.”

Sim said UEC had long gained acceptance and credibility by many countries worldwide.

Regrettably, he said the Malaysian government still needed time to study UEC recognition, which was grossly unfair to Chinese independent secondary school students.

Although five states have recognized UEC, Sim lamented that the Federal Government has yet to give its nod to the certificate.

He said the State Government’s move to recognize UEC would open up opportunities for the certificate holders to seek employment in state agencies or further their studies in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

However, he said UEC holders would not have the same opportunities when it came to federal agencies or other public universities in Malaysia as long as the Federal Government has not recognized the certificate.

Meanwhile, Wong hoped that the State Government would make a formal announcement on the matter soon to reassure Chinese independent school students and the Chinese community.

At the same time, she urged the Federal Government to recognize UEC as soon as possible.

“So long as the Malaysian government refuses to recognize UEC, the brain drain in our country will continue to happen.

“The loss of talent will hinder our country’s goal to become a developed nation.”

Both the Youth and Women leaders were also baffled with the lack of positive response from the Federal Government now that five states have recognized UEC.

As such, Sim and Wong strongly urged Sabah members of parliaments (MPs) to push the Federal Government towards recognizing the certificate to ensure the stand of the Ministry of Education was aligned with that of the State Government.

“While moving towards the goal of a developed nation, the government must look into the issues that affect the education of our younger generation, including to ensure fairness and equality in the education system.

“That should be the trait of a successful, wise leader.”

KKCCCI deputy president Chang Chin Sin also welcomed the State Government’s decision to recognize the UEC.

“We salute and thank the State Cabinet led by the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal for giving recognition to UEC, despite Sabah being the fifth state in Malaysia to recognize the certificate.

“It shows that our Chief Minister always puts the needs and interests of the people first, irrespective of race and creed.”

Chang said and added the chamber was excited to read about the good news in the Chinese dailies yesterday.

“Although the Chief Minister has not made any official announcement on the matter, we just had to express how happy we are with the State Government’s sincerity in recognizing the UEC.

“The Chinese community has long waited for the government to grant recognition to UEC.

“We hope the Federal Government would respect our wishes and fulfill its promise of giving full recognition to UEC soon.”

Chang said KKCCCI remained steadfast in its stand that the Federal Constitution had provided the rights to practise Chinese culture and mother tongue education.

“We believe that the State Government’s recognition of the UEC would open up broader opportunities and brighter prospects for Chinese independent school graduates.

“It will also augur well for the future development of the nine Chinese independent secondary schools in Sabah,” Chang concluded.

Gerakan also welcomes the Sabah state government’s plan to recognize the UEC.

However, Gerakan hopes the Sabah state government will fully recognize the UEC instead of half-recognizing it, and only allowing school-leavers with UEC qualifications to work in the subsidiaries of the state government.

Its president, Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai, said that the UEC recognition by the Sabah state government is still a rumour now.

“If the rumour is true, then Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Mohd Shafie bin Haji Apdal must clearly state whether school-leavers with UEC qualifications can enter public universities or join the civil service,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Dominic pointed out that even Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng has already announced the UEC being recognized by the Penang government, but Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy said the Penang state government, state agencies and local government civil service did not hire UEC holders. Only government subsidiaries hired them or they are hired by contracts.

“This proves that Lim Guan Eng’s so-called ‘recognition’ is simply a lie to cover up the fact that the PH government have not recognized the UEC,” he said.

Therefore, Dominic urged Shafie to clearly state whether his “recognition of UEC” means that school-leavers with UEC qualifications can enter public universities or join the civil service.

In addition, he also urged the PH government to recognize the UEC as soon as possible.

He said the DAP promised to recognize UEC immediately once taking over Putrajaya before the 14th general election.

Lim also said he would help MCA for the last mile. However, nothing happened after PH became the federal government for more than a year.

“Perhaps DAP has no real power. However, Minister of Education Maszlee (Malik) said in August last year that recognition of UEC requires a comprehensive study. The Special Committee for UEC has been set up but keeps delaying.”

Dominic urged the PH government to show their sincerity and do not disappoint the people.

“The position of Gerakan has remained the same. Gerakan insists on the recognition of the UEC will not affect national unity, and will not threaten the status of Malay as an official language. The government should fulfill its manifesto and recognize the UEC,” he said.