‘Recognise UEC as pledged in manifesto’
Not only should the PH government convince us why they cannot implement it now, they have to give us a timeframe as to how soon they can do it.
KUCHING: The Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government should quickly recognise Unified Examination Certificate ( UEC) as pledged in its election manifesto.
Kuching Hockien Association (KHA) president Dato Richard Wee, who gave this reminder yesterday, said the new government would need to give a convincing reason if the policy cannot be implemented sooner.
“Not only should the PH government convince us why they cannot implement it now, they have to give us a timeframe as to how soon they can do it,” he said at the KHA student excellence awards ceremony here.
Wee, also president of Federation of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions Chinese Associations, said people were confused by the recent contradictory comments of Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik.
“Recently, the minister made a statement saying that UEC is not part of the national education system and hence the government will not allocate funds for Chinese
Dato Richard Wee, Kuching Hockien Association (KHA) president
independent schools.
“A day after that, the same minister said the government will give administrative grants. It is rather a flip-flop,” Wee pointed out.
He said the PH government should not give any room for the people to doubt its sincerity in fulfilling its election promises.
He cautioned that people would begin to feel deceived if the PH government did not keep its promises.
According to him, people are willing to wait for the implementation as long as it is done.
“After all, we have been waiting for 60 years and I do not think we mind waiting for another while.
“When people are being understanding and kind, the government should not take it for granted otherwise they will be putting the confidence and trust of the people in the government at stake,” he said.
Wee pointed out that the PH government has always advocated reform and thus should not follow in the footsteps of the previous government.
He hoped that the federal government of the day will not treat UEC and Chinese independent schools as ‘abandoned infants’.
On the 20 per cent oil and gas royalty to Sarawak, he said the PH government should not deprive the state of what it deserved.
He felt that the PH government should not term the 20 per cent oil and gas royalty and autonomy in education and healthcare to Sarawak as a package.
“What’s more, the 20 per cent oil and gas royalty is an election promise of PH to Sarawakians, so it should be what Sarawak deserves,” added Wee.
Earlier, KHA Education Committee chairman Rodger Chan said the association handed out a total of RM12,260 to 147 award recipients.
“Although the criteria for studies awards are quite stringent in comparison with other associations, there are still many successful applicants.”
Chan said the awards were meant to encourage students to strive harder and do better in their studies.
“When you succeed in your studies and career in the future, do remember to come back to involve in the association and make contributions to both the association and the society at large,” he added.