DAP Youth urges end to 'political polemic' over push for UEC recognition

DAP Youth has called for a united focus on “fact-based efforts” towards the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), urging against political polemics that risk distracting from the matter at hand.

In making the appeal today, DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong said that by pursuing the UEC’s recognition, the coalition government is merely fulfilling its political obligation, pointing to previous pledges by Pakatan Harapan and BN.

“All stakeholders, especially politicians, should not continue politicising this issue, so that efforts to recognise the UEC certificate can be completed professionally.

“The entire society should support the unity government’s efforts to recognise the UEC certificate in order to realise this historic mission,” Woo said in a statement today.

The Pasir Bedamar assemblyperson stressed that the UEC’s recognition will demonstrate that the nation has taken a significant step forward in education reform while upholding diversity and inclusivity.

“The UEC not only carries high academic value, but is also recognised internationally, and is an important asset in our multi-stream education system. Therefore, its development should not be hindered by political barriers,” he argued.

Push reignites backlash

DAP’s push for the UEC’s recognition had previously reignited backlash against the party and allegations that it is seeking to undermine the Malays, following remarks by DAP deputy chairperson Nga Kor Ming, who said the party will meet with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss the matter.

The housing and local government minister’s remarks were perceived in Malay social media circles as DAP pressuring Anwar on the matter, drawing a negative reaction from certain quarters.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke subsequently sought to frame the UEC discussion as complementary to efforts to uphold the Malay language.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, however, did not hold back in taking it upon himself to school Nga on the nation’s education policy.

DAP figures, including the party’s political education director Howard Lee, had then hit back at Akmal, with the former accusing the Merlimau assemblyperson of using “fear tactics” by issuing “deliberately using false narratives to incite social antagonism”.

DAP Youth national publicity assistant secretary Syaheera Ghafar noted that Malaysia already recognises international qualifications such as the O-Level issued by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) and Pearson Edexcel, as well as the UK’s General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).

DAP assistant national organising secretary Lee Chin Chen also pointed out that PAS backed UEC recognition in the Pakatan Rakyat common policy framework in 2013, while Bersatu did so in Harapan’s framework in 2018, and BN included the same promise in its 2018 manifesto.

Clear understanding needed

Expressing similar sentiments today, Woo called on all political parties to clearly state their current position on the UEC’s recognition so that voters can clearly understand where each party stands on this issue.

“Recognition of the UEC should be based on academic considerations.

“Current politicians should not link UEC recognition to national interest or national education policy, as the arguments presented are misleading and do not reflect the actual situation,” he added.

Discussions regarding the UEC’s recognition, he asserted, are never intended to challenge national interests or to turn Chinese independent schools into government schools under the Education Ministry.

Rather, Woo said current efforts seek to “set aside political differences,” claiming the UEC’s recognition is to acknowledge the certificate’s high academic value and its international-level competencies.

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

“In line with the development and improvement of the UEC curriculum, the entire syllabus emphasises critical thinking, the humanities, and is based on Science and Mathematics.

“Its academic standards meet, and even exceed, what is required by our higher education institutions,” he added.

He also highlighted that the UEC has been recognised by several state governments, including Penang, Selangor, Sabah and Sarawak, with certificate holders in certain states allowed to enter higher education institutions under state administrations and offered scholarships.

“The successes of these states show that UEC recognition does not undermine national interests, but instead helps the country develop new talent.

“Therefore, UEC recognition should be implemented at the federal level in light of the achievements of these state governments,” he said.

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