SUPP: Explain UEC flip-flop or apologise to Chinese voters
With the reasons given (by Dr Mahathir), the people on the ground feel that it is extremely unlikely our prime minister and his government will ever recognise UEC.
MIRI: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) says recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) by the Pakatan Harapan ( PH) government is unlikely to happen in light of the reasons stated by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on why it has not happened yet.
Its secretary- general Datuk Sebastian Ting said the premier’s statement regarding the recognition of UEC was viewed with ‘ grave concern and disappointment’ by SUPP, and called on DAP and Chinese members of parliament in PKR to apologise for misleading voters in the last general election.
“With the reasons given ( by Dr Mahathir), the people on the ground feel that it is extremely unlikely our prime minister and his government will ever recognise UEC,” he said yesterday.
Despite the recognition of UEC being among PH’s election promises, the prime minister was quoted in a recent interview by Chinese national daily Sin Chew Daily as saying that even though the federal government could recognise UEC with ‘a stroke of the pen’, it had to consider the feelings of the Malays and needed to address the gap of national wealth distribution first.
Ting said Dr Mahathir’s track record of holding three important Cabinet posts during BN’s 45-year rule also does not
Datuk Sebastian Ting, SUPP secretary-general
favour UEC recognition.
“He was Minister of Education (1974-1976), Deputy Prime Minister (1976-1981) and Prime Minister (1981-2003) during which UEC was not recognised by his administration.
“It would have been easy for him (as prime minister then) if he had wanted to. It is therefore a fair statement to say that Dr Mahathir will never agree to the recognition of UEC so long as he is our prime minister,” he added.
The Piasau assemblyman further stated that the issue of UEC recognition was always raised during every election by DAP, MCA and Gerakan in the hope of securing the support of Chinese voters.
“DAP’s father- and- son team of Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng always shouted the loudest until May 2018 when they took over the federal government.
“Since then, the ‘roar’ of these lions has never been heard on this ( UEC recognition). They don’t see, don’t hear and don’t speak anymore on this,” mocked Ting, while reminding that Guan Eng and Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching had promised in their general election videos that a strong mandate from the Chinese would see the government recognise UEC within 30 days.
He also said the silence by DAP Sarawak over the prime minister’s statement has led many to question the party’s stand on the matter.
“Sarawakians, especially in town areas, are now asking why DAP Sarawak YBs (elected representatives) and leaders have gone very quiet and acting dumb, not only on this ( UEC) issue but on other issues as well.
“SUPP demands an answer from DAP Sarawak leaders over UEC recognition. If they are unable to provide an answer, then Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng and DAP Sarawak YBs and leaders must apologise to the Chinese who voted for them in the general election.”