MP urges Federal Govt to recognise UEC

KOTA KINABALU: DAP Kota Kinabalu member of parliament Jimmy Wong wants to submit a motion under Standing Order 26(1) to the Parliament Speaker to debate on the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) or ‘Sijil Peperiksaan Bersepadu’.

Wong said he hoped the motion would be approved so that the Federal Government would recognise UEC as a valid national examination certificate.

Wong said in principle the UEC was a very important national education asset which had created many successful Malaysians in all aspects irrespective of race and religion.

Wong said in Sabah many nonChinese students had enrolled in the Chinese independent schools and sat for the UEC.

“Native parents therefore wish that the UEC will be recognised by the Federal Government,” he said.

Wong said with the lack of schools and teachers in Sabah, the Chinese independent schools are considered an alternative especially for students who are staying in far-flung areas in Tenom, Beaufort, Kunak and Tawau.

“More than 85% of the students in the Chinese independent schools are from the native community,” he added.

Wong said the UEC was very competitive with more than 100 universities from more than 12 foreign countries including Australia, the United Kingdom and the USA having recognised the UEC.

“The UEC has been received well by the international and academic community. Let us not lose such an advantage for our country,” Wong pointed out.

He said from the practical point of view, the recognition of the UEC would create a generation of citizens fluent in the Malay, English, Chinese and language.

“These traits will give the strength to our citizens especially when Malaysia is embracing the international markets. By knowing the Chinese language, our people will be in an advantageous position where China is gaining importance in the political and economic fields.”

Wong added that it is important that the Federal government not only recognise the UEC but also to defend the education rights of all vernacular schools under Article 152 of the Federal Constitution.

“I hope the Federal government will hold true to the principles and spirit of the Federal Constitution and the United Nation Declaration, the rights of every person to education,” he concluded.