Akmal told: Sabah and Sarawak recognise Unified Examination Certificate
Published on: Friday, December 12, 2025
Ong (left) said the issue raised by Akmal (right) on UEC is, therefore, misleading and unnecessary.
Kota Kinabalu: Both the Liberal Democratic Party and Sabah DAP Youth hit out at Umno Youth Chief Dr Akmal Salleh for urging the Prime Minister not to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
They questioned the logic of the Government recognising the British-based exam systems but not the UEC which is recognised globally, including the US.
They said Akmal’s remarks ignore the actual situation in East Malaysia, where both the Sabah and Sarawak governments have already recognised UEC for admission into state public service and state institutions.
This policy has not weakened the national language or harmed unity in any way. Instead, it has broadened opportunities, retained talent and supported the inclusive character of our East Malaysian society.
LDP Vice President David Ong said the issue raised by Akmal on UEC is, therefore, misleading and unnecessary.
“His argument is incomplete and does not reflect the realities of Malaysia’s education system or our multicultural society,” he said in a statement.
“Malaysia already accepts many foreign qualifications such as A-Levels, IB and Australian Matriculation.
“To reject UEC while accepting these international certificates is inconsistent and unfair to Malaysian students who have proven their capabilities through the UEC system.”
He said the claim that recognising UEC will undermine Bahasa Malaysia is also misleading, because recognition does not replace or weaken the position of the national language, stating that many UEC students have demonstrated strong command of Bahasa Malaysia.
“A clear example can be seen in the National Malay Forum Competition, where students from Chinese independent schools – including UEC candidates – frequently excel and even emerge as national champions.
“Their achievements show that studying under the UEC system does not prevent students from mastering Bahasa Malaysia,” he said.
“Malaysia’s unity is strengthened when every community feels respected and included, not when legitimate qualifications are dismissed based on outdated assumptions.
“Malaysia must move forward with policies that are fair, rational and inclusive. We should empower our youth by recognising their abilities, maintaining our national language, and embracing the diversity that has always been our strength,” he said.
Sabah DAP Youth (DAPSY) Chief Chan Loong Wei said the UEC has produced graduates who have excelled in engineering, medicine, science, business and technology.
He dismissed claims that UEC recognition threatens Bahasa Malaysia as graduates still fulfil national language requirements and meet tertiary admission standards.
Chan noted Sabah’s progressive stance with the establishment of the State’s first RM5 million UEC Scholarship Fund under the previous administration.
Additionally, Chan pointed out that more than 1,000 universities worldwide spanning Singapore, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, the United States and Canada, recognise the UEC for direct admission, alongside over 300 private institutions in Malaysia.
He said that investing in UEC graduates would benefit Sabah’s workforce and competitiveness, particularly as the state strengthens economic ties with major partners including China and seeks high-value investments.
“Education should never be weaponised for political gain. Malaysia must prioritise nurturing talent, retaining skilled young people and building a multilingual, globally competitive workforce,” he said.
He called on national leaders to base education policy on facts rather than fear, emphasising that UEC recognition aligns with Malaysia’s existing qualification standards and reflects principles of fairness and meritocracy.
They questioned the logic of the Government recognising the British-based exam systems but not the UEC which is recognised globally, including the US.
They said Akmal’s remarks ignore the actual situation in East Malaysia, where both the Sabah and Sarawak governments have already recognised UEC for admission into state public service and state institutions.
This policy has not weakened the national language or harmed unity in any way. Instead, it has broadened opportunities, retained talent and supported the inclusive character of our East Malaysian society.
LDP Vice President David Ong said the issue raised by Akmal on UEC is, therefore, misleading and unnecessary.
“His argument is incomplete and does not reflect the realities of Malaysia’s education system or our multicultural society,” he said in a statement.
“Malaysia already accepts many foreign qualifications such as A-Levels, IB and Australian Matriculation.
“To reject UEC while accepting these international certificates is inconsistent and unfair to Malaysian students who have proven their capabilities through the UEC system.”
He said the claim that recognising UEC will undermine Bahasa Malaysia is also misleading, because recognition does not replace or weaken the position of the national language, stating that many UEC students have demonstrated strong command of Bahasa Malaysia.
“A clear example can be seen in the National Malay Forum Competition, where students from Chinese independent schools – including UEC candidates – frequently excel and even emerge as national champions.
“Their achievements show that studying under the UEC system does not prevent students from mastering Bahasa Malaysia,” he said.
“Malaysia’s unity is strengthened when every community feels respected and included, not when legitimate qualifications are dismissed based on outdated assumptions.
“Malaysia must move forward with policies that are fair, rational and inclusive. We should empower our youth by recognising their abilities, maintaining our national language, and embracing the diversity that has always been our strength,” he said.
Sabah DAP Youth (DAPSY) Chief Chan Loong Wei said the UEC has produced graduates who have excelled in engineering, medicine, science, business and technology.
He dismissed claims that UEC recognition threatens Bahasa Malaysia as graduates still fulfil national language requirements and meet tertiary admission standards.
Chan noted Sabah’s progressive stance with the establishment of the State’s first RM5 million UEC Scholarship Fund under the previous administration.
Additionally, Chan pointed out that more than 1,000 universities worldwide spanning Singapore, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, the United States and Canada, recognise the UEC for direct admission, alongside over 300 private institutions in Malaysia.
He said that investing in UEC graduates would benefit Sabah’s workforce and competitiveness, particularly as the state strengthens economic ties with major partners including China and seeks high-value investments.
“Education should never be weaponised for political gain. Malaysia must prioritise nurturing talent, retaining skilled young people and building a multilingual, globally competitive workforce,” he said.
He called on national leaders to base education policy on facts rather than fear, emphasising that UEC recognition aligns with Malaysia’s existing qualification standards and reflects principles of fairness and meritocracy.
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PMX is too scared of a "someone" who will jump on poor Anwar the moment PMX gives recognition to the UEC. That "someone" is PMX's greatest foe and Mr anti-UEC himself from Day 1. He will accuse PMX of being Malays' greatest traitor.
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