A DAP lawmaker has reminded MCA's publicity spokesperson Ti Lian Ker that recognising the United Examination Certificate (UEC) has never been an issue within Pakatan Harapan.

Teo Nie Ching pointed out that Harapan governments in Selangor and Penang have already recognised the examination.

She said apart from the fact that UEC graduates can seek employment in Sarawak state government subsidiaries and statutory bodies, other states governed by BN have not accepted the UEC.

“When Penang, Selangor and Sarawak are able to recognise the UEC but not other states, it is evident that Umno is the biggest obstacle in the UEC's approval and full recognition.

“Sixty years of waiting says a lot about MCA's effectiveness and efficiency in BN.

“So before he challenges DAP and our parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang on anything related to the UEC, please look in the mirror and say the same thing to himself and MCA,” she added in a media statement.

The Kulai MP said MCA and its president Liow Tiong Lai must exhibit their effectiveness in BN by getting the ruling coalition to approve and recognise the UEC.

Otherwise, she said, it just goes to show that MCA is all talk and no walk.

“In other words, MCA was just merely paying lip service or exploiting political issues all along, with no desire for the issue to be resolved politically,” she added.

Teo also pointed out that recognising the UEC has been in the opposition coalition's manifesto since 2013 and there is no reason to think it would not be included in Harapan's manifesto for the coming general election.

“The Harapan leadership will make the announcement in good time. Until and unless Ti can tell us in no uncertain terms that when will the last mile of journey can be completed, it is not for him to dictate when or how we should announce it,” she added.

In a commentary published in Malaysiakini today, Ti urged DAP and Lim to show their effectiveness in Harapan by getting the approval and recognition for the UEC.

He also referred to Bersatu deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin's remarks on the matter.

On Jan 10, The Star and Malay Mail Online quoted Muhyiddin, who was the former education minister, of warning that Harapan should not be expected to recognise the UEC if it comes into power.

The reports were based on his interview with Sin Chew Daily.

His office later denied Muhyiddin had issued a warning, claiming that he merely said that recognition for the UEC would depend on Malaysia’s education policy, which calls for the same curriculum and examination system to be used across the board.