Recognition of UEC yet to be decided

KUALA LUMPUR: There is still no decision on whether the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) will be recognised for entry into public institutions of higher education.

Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik did not specify when a decision would be made but said that a taskforce was set up last October to do a comprehensive study on the issue.

“Views and feedback from various stakeholders should be obtained, reviewed and scrutinised comprehensively before any recommendation is forwarded to the Education Ministry and the government,” he said during a press conference on the taskforce yesterday.

"The taskforce has been set up to collect information and submit its recommendations to the Education Ministry on the UEC recognition issue based on the research it did," he said, adding that it must submit its full report to him in July.

Dr Maszlee said he would then present the findings to the Cabinet, but he did not provide a specific timeline.

Taskforce chairman Eddin Khoo said it had so far conducted 46 interviews and engagements with various groups for their opinions.

Seeking opinions: Dr Maszlee (second right) talking with task force members (from left) Mohamad Raimi, Khoo and Tan after the press conference.

He said that among these were educational experts, stakeholders, political party leaders and non-governmental groups.

“We consider all their views seriously, whether they oppose or support (recognising the UEC),” he said.

Pakatan Harapan had in its manifesto promised to recognise the UEC, which is currently not recognised for entry into public institutions of higher education.

The taskforce was formed on Oct 29, 2018.

Khoo said that among the issues surrounding UEC's recognition were the integrity of the Malay language and the democratisation of the education sector, adding that this was not a racial issue.

He said this was the first time in 40 years that an independent taskforce had been formed to obtain the opinions from all stakeholders and the public on the issue.

“It is a very complex and complicated issue in terms of (the recognition’s) impact and effects,” he added.

Dr Maszlee said the taskforce members also include lawyer and Muslim Youth Malaysia president Mohamad Raimi Ab Rahim and Dong Zong deputy president Datuk Tan Yew Sing.