ANALYSIS The issue of Chinese education has always been a hot-button issue to any general election and MCA, the party that claims to "live and die on Chinese schools", will either be the biggest loser or winner - depending on how the issue is dealt with.

The latest round of controversy was sparked by Dong Zong, the umbrella body of all Chinese school boards of directors, when it claimed that there was a deal struck between MCA and the government not to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

The charge came after the Chinese community failed to make any inroad in the 20-year application to construct a new independent Chinese high school in Kuantan despite a 5,000-strong rally in support of the school being held in the coastal city on May 20.

UEC is a standard examination taken by all students in independent Chinese high schools. It is conducted by Dong Zong and recognised by major universities worldwide - except the Malaysian government...