Azmin: I didn't hesitate to recognise UEC when I was S'gor MB
N Faizal Ghazali
Published: Nov 16, 2024 9:59 PM
Bersatu leader Azmin Ali stressed that the issue of recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) should not be politicised or made unnecessarily complicated.
The former Selangor menteri besar said he did not hesitate to grant recognition to the UEC during his tenure from 2014 to 2018.
“The UEC is not a new issue for me. When I was Selangor menteri besar, I recognised the UEC in 2015 for the future of the country,” he said, referring to his decision to recognise UEC certification for entry to Universiti Selangor (Unisel).
“Why should this matter be politicised when we know there were only around 60 Chinese private schools in Selangor at the time? That’s not a significant number,” he added.
Azmin explained that these schools were independent in terms of funding and management, relying on private sources, individuals, and families rather than government funds.
He made these remarks during a speech at the Selangor Bersatu associate members wing convention in Shah Alam today.
Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin, Bersatu associate members chief Chong Fatt Full, and Selangor Bersatu associate members chief Goh Gaik Meng were also present at the event.
Selangor Bersatu associate members wing convention
Azmin’s comments were in response to the UEC issue raised by Goh, who criticised the federal government for failing to honour its promise to recognise the UEC.
Critics of the UEC have included PAS leaders, with Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria alleging the certificate threatens Malay dominance.
Azmin reiterated that recognising the UEC should not be complicated, as quality education is a constitutional right.
“All children, regardless of race, deserve access to quality education,” he said.
“This ensures their future and helps reduce socioeconomic issues, gangsterism, and crime, which positively impacts the nation.”
On Nov 11, Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir urged for a comprehensive study on the UEC instead of its use as a political tool, recommending a careful and non-seasonal approach to the matter.
The first Pakatan Harapan federal government established a task force in October 2019 to look into the UEC issue.
During a guest appearance on Malaysiakini’s Chinese podcast in June this year, former deputy education minister Teo Nie Ching revealed that the UEC task force never submitted its report to the ministry under the then-Harapan government.
According to Teo, following the Sheraton Move, the new minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin “had no interest in the report”.
In October 2020, task force chairperson Eddin Khoo told Malaysiakini they were finalising the report and denied claims that the ministry refused to accept it.
Azmin’s comments were in response to the UEC issue raised by Goh, who criticised the federal government for failing to honour its promise to recognise the UEC.
Critics of the UEC have included PAS leaders, with Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria alleging the certificate threatens Malay dominance.
Azmin reiterated that recognising the UEC should not be complicated, as quality education is a constitutional right.
“All children, regardless of race, deserve access to quality education,” he said.
“This ensures their future and helps reduce socioeconomic issues, gangsterism, and crime, which positively impacts the nation.”
On Nov 11, Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir urged for a comprehensive study on the UEC instead of its use as a political tool, recommending a careful and non-seasonal approach to the matter.
The first Pakatan Harapan federal government established a task force in October 2019 to look into the UEC issue.
During a guest appearance on Malaysiakini’s Chinese podcast in June this year, former deputy education minister Teo Nie Ching revealed that the UEC task force never submitted its report to the ministry under the then-Harapan government.
According to Teo, following the Sheraton Move, the new minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin “had no interest in the report”.
In October 2020, task force chairperson Eddin Khoo told Malaysiakini they were finalising the report and denied claims that the ministry refused to accept it.
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