KEPALA BATAS: Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican has called for restraint in commenting about therecognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), stressing that undue pressure should not be placed on the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim under the unity government framework.
He said Malaysia has always been built through consultation and negotiation, and such an approach should continue to guide national discourse.
“In building this country, we have always relied on dialogue and negotiation.
"We are now a unity government, and it would be inappropriate to pressure the Prime Minister in the name of defending individual positions,” he said after attending SK Pinang Tunggal Year Six Graduation Ceremony here on Tuesday (Dec 16).
Reezal Merican said differing views could still be expressed, but urged all parties to do so with decorum.
He also called for efforts to harmonise the mainstream education system, saying it has already proven capable of producing quality leaders.
“The evidence is clear. Leaders such as Anthony Loke, Steven Sim, Hannah Yeoh and Howard Lee are not products of the UEC system, yet they have become effective leaders,” he said.
He added that Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow is another example leaders that had studied in a mainstream school before emerging as a capable administrator.
“The question we should ask is why the mainstream system cannot replicate thousands more Anthony Lokes or Steven Sim. Where is the failure? There is none. This proves the need for harmony, not division,” he said.
He said the Prime Minister’s position on the matter was clear and consistent with long-standing principles and policies.
He said what the country needs now is to find common ground and mutual understanding.
"As a unity government, we should refrain from making pressures or demands that could undermine the spirit of unity,” he added.
Last Friday (Dec 13), during his visit to Langkawi, Anwar said any demands touching on religious, racial, or ethnic sensitivities must take into account the position of the Malay language in the Constitution.
He said the government will continue to defend and uphold the principles enshrined in the Constitution regarding the status of the Malay language.
He also said the effort that should be undertaken is to elevate the use of the Malay language, making it a language of knowledge accessible to everyone in the country.
