The Higher Education Ministry today said that the government’s recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) is still under discussion.

In a statement, the ministry referred to a reported statement by Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon, that the UEC is set to be recognised by the government “very soon”.

“Higher Education Minister Idris Jusoh had in March held an informal meeting with the UEC implementer in Kuching to seek its views and discuss the matter.

“The Higher Education Ministry would like to stress that the existing policy is still in effect, whereby the UEC must accept the ministry’s current conditions for entrance into a public university,” said the ministry.

The Star had on Sunday quoted Chong as saying that now is the time for all stakeholders to work harder in the final leg, for the recognition to come true.

The MCA Youth Chief also reportedly denied that the UEC recognition would be dragged until the next general election or “made a tactic to fish votes for BN in the next general election.”

In response to Chong, a pro-single stream school movement has yesterday stated its opposition against efforts to recognise the UEC.

Gerakan Sistem Sekolah Satu Aliran Demi Perpaduan (Serap) chairperson Shahril Hamdan, who is also an Umno Youth exco member, said that Chong’s statement had contradicted the government’s previous decision to not recognise UEC as an entry qualification to local universities.