No need to recognise UEC until it uses Malay language - Mohamad

There is no need to elevate the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) to be on par with the national education system until the former is reformed to meet national aspirations, said Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan.

“As a sovereign nation, our education system must meet national aspirations. It must be premised on national mission, values, interests, and ambitions.

“Thus, it must be implemented using the national language to strengthen national identity,” the foreign minister said on Facebook.

Earlier, it was reported that DAP’s move to get UEC recognised has reignited backlash against the party and allegations that it is seeking to undermine the Malays.

This is after remarks by DAP deputy chairperson Nga Kor Ming, which only circulated in the Chinese press and social media at first, were translated and gained widespread attention yesterday.

In a social media post on Monday, Nga revealed that DAP would meet with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to seek recognition for the UEC.

He had made the remarks at an independent high school fundraising dinner in Taiping the night before.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh pounced on the matter, urging Anwar not to back down.

“There are three (points). First is Bahasa Malaysia as the main medium of instruction, second is that the same national curriculum must be taught, and third, students must sit for the same examination.

“Whether you are aware, or pretending not to know, the UEC does not satisfy the aforementioned criteria… So how are we to recognise the examination?” he asked.

READ MORE: Unified Examination Certificate: Are the criticisms justified?

Don’t force govt

On that note, Mohamad said the government has never stopped UEC from being implemented in the country since its introduction in 1975 for the sake of celebrating diversity and respecting the needs of other communities.

The Umno leader pointed out that they have also never stopped anyone from taking UEC if they have little confidence in the aspirations of the national education system.

“However, don’t force the government to recognise and treat UEC as equivalent to our national education system because it was not made to inculcate national identity or celebrate the uniqueness of our national education system.

“Besides, when it comes to university admission, UEC qualification is already accepted in many local and foreign higher education institutions,” Mohamad added.

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