PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong says Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail’s Sabri’s statement regarding recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) showed inadequate understanding of the discussion surrounding the subject.
In a Facebook post on Saturday night (July 14), the MCA deputy president said Ismail’s statement also revealed his “rather deep prejudice” towards UEC and Chinese independent high schools.
According to Dr Wee, Ismail’s statement did not paint an accurate picture of the UEC, and instead, confused Malaysians with the wrong perception of the issue regarding recognition of UEC certification.
He called on Ismail to correct factual errors, to stop spreading misinformation and also fact-checked several statements by the latter.
For instance, the curriculum of Chinese independent high schools and the UEC examinations are arranged by the United Chinese School Committees Association (Dong Jiao Zong) comprised of Dong Zong and Jiao Zong (United Chinese School Teachers’ Association of Malaysia), not the administration of the respective Chinese vernacular schools as claimed.
Dr Wee also pointed out that the UEC obtained a ISO9001:2008 quality management certification from Malaysia, China, UK and Japan, and is accepted as entry qualifications by the majority of private colleges and universities in Malaysia.
It is also accredited by more than 1,000 colleges and universities, both public and private, in countries such as the UK, US, Australia, Japan, Singapore, China and others which recognise the UEC in study applications.
While only Bahasa Malaysia is taught in the national language in the UEC curriculum, said Dr Wee, not all subjects are taught in Mandarin as per Ismail’s claims.
“The UEC model is not from Taiwan either. The syllabus used is based on the standard subjects issued by Malaysia’s Education Ministry.
"For example, the History subject includes the history of the Malacca Malay sultanate, the independence of Malaya and the formation of Malaysia, while the contents of the Geography subject are based on the Malaysian context,” he added.
Dr Wee also reminded Ismail that the recognition of UEC was also part of the Barisan Nasional manifesto during GE14.
"If the Malays are really against UEC's recognition as stated by Ismail, how is it that Pakatan Harapan, which recognised the certificate in its election manifesto, was able to win the support of the various races in the country and won the election with 121 parliamentary seats?" he asked.
He also stressed that the recognition of UEC will not threaten or result in Bahasa Malaysia being disregarded as the national language, adding that UEC students also had to fulfill the criteria that they must earn at least a credit in Bahasa Malaysia in SPM.
Dr Wee added that the multi-stream education system was not a barrier to national unity as there were now more non-Chinese students (Malays, Indians and other races) attending national-type Chinese schools (SJKC) and Chinese Independent Secondary Schools (SMPC).
Hence, he wondered whether the Pakatan government has the political will and is ready to fulfil its promise to recognise UEC, so that it will not disappoint Malaysians who have given them the mandate during GE14.
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