Dong Zong hails conditional nod for UEC, wants to discuss details

The United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) has welcomed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement making SPM-level Bahasa Malaysia and history mandatory for private schools.

Its chairperson, Tan Yew Sing, described the announcement as a “conditional opening of doors” for students taking Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) examinations at Chinese independent high schools.

“The prime minister has opened the door, though of course, there are conditions attached,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted today.

He said Dong Zong does not oppose the conditions announced by Anwar, as they align with the same standards applied to candidates from other government secondary schools.

The move is inclusive and diverse, he said, and would encourage students from various school streams to enter the national education system and public universities.

“Regarding the prime minister’s statement that higher education would no longer be an issue as long as Chinese independent high school students take the SPM Malay and history exams, Dong Zong is willing to maintain an open attitude and engage in more detailed discussions with relevant government agencies on specific standards and measures,” he said.

Tan further highlighted that many Chinese independent high school students are already taking SPM Malay-language exams, and the passing rate in recent years has consistently exceeded 96 percent.

“Any allegations that Chinese independent high schools marginalise or neglect the Malay language are baseless and not grounded in facts.

“For Chinese independent high school students sitting for the SPM, besides taking the Bahasa Malaysia subject, they also sit for the History subject to obtain the SPM certificate. This is a natural thing for candidates from Chinese independent high schools who wish to obtain an SPM certificate,” he said.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | A guide to the Chinese schools education system in Malaysia

However, not all Chinese independent high school students are also taking the SPM exam, and Tan expressed reservations about mandating that all these students must now sit for the SPM Bahasa Malaysia and history subjects.

He said about 80 percent of Chinese independent high schools take the SPM examination in addition to the UEC, since the remainder do not intend to enter the national education system.

‘Mastering BM every citizen’s duty’

Furthermore, the UEC already includes Bahasa Malaysia and history subjects, so students should be given the space to choose.

Tan also emphasised that Dong Zong abides by the Federal Constitution and agrees that citizens must master and uphold the Malay language.

“Dong Zong respects the Federal Constitution and the respective state constitutions, including Article 152, which clearly stipulates Malay as the national language.

“We agree that mastering the Malay language is a duty every citizen should fulfil. Therefore, Malay has always been a compulsory subject in all Chinese independent high schools nationwide and is a core component of the UEC curriculum and syllabus.

“We also support the continuous strengthening of Malay language teaching and learning across all education systems in our country, in line with the spirit of the National Language Act 1963/67.

“This is not just an educational issue, but a key factor in maintaining social harmony during the nation-building process,” he said.

However, Tan reminded that at the same time, the Constitution also guarantees the right of the people to freely teach and learn their mother tongue - a point that has been clearly stated in the Federal Court’s rulings.

At the launch of the National Education Plan 2026-2035 earlier today, Anwar said it will be mandatory to learn SPM-level Bahasa Malaysia and history using the national curriculum for all schools, including independent, Islamic, and international schools.

He said he hopes this would put an end to controversies over Chinese independent school students who take the UEC in addition to SPM.

“This also applies to the minor controversy regarding UEC, even though circumstances have already changed. The vast majority take SPM, and the vast majority also take SPM Bahasa Malaysia.

“However, under current regulations, Bahasa Malaysia and history are also made compulsory for international schools, religious schools, and all Chinese-stream schools, that is, UEC.

“So with this method, their pathway to higher education, whether from international schools, religious schools, or UEC, should no longer be a controversy.

“We accept it well, as long as these conditions are met,” the prime minister said.

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