16/12/2025

TUESDAY | DEC 16, 2025

5

‘UEC debate should be resolved in court’

Certificate issue stirs spirited public discourse PETALING JAYA: The debate over recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)

the seized drugs were intended for distribution within the Klang Valley,” he said at a press conference yesterday. Other seizures included 1,539 packets of suspected ecstasy powder weighing approximately 50kg, ketamine (21.5kg), ecstasy pills (2.5kg), syabu (980g), Eramin 5 pills (3.5kg) and yaba pills (587g). Shazeli added that the two female suspects were believed to have received a salary of RM5,000 each, while the male suspect was said to have only recently started work after entering the country on Nov 25. He also said police are still verifying the immigration status of the foreign man with the Immigration Department after discovering that there was no fingerprint entry on his passport. “All suspects have been remanded for seven days and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.” – Bernama The user said such a move would attract all students to a high quality national system, resolving integration concerns. Facebook comments highlighted broader social and constitutional concerns. Yusup Che Rus said recognition of the certificate could lead to demands for quotas in civil service and higher education, framing them as “rights” to be claimed. Aris Nor Ramli said decades after independence, many Malaysian Chinese still struggle with BM due to the persistence of separate school systems, which are not even common in mainland China. He added that opposing the UEC could exacerbate social divisions. Others questioned whether the certificate aligns with Malaysia’s educational philosophy. Mohd Noor Mat Salleh said the UEC is not inherently Malaysian and should not be prioritised politically or educationally. “If individuals find it useful, that’s fine, but there’s no need for a fuss.” Mohd Nor Baharum said private schools following Taiwan or China’s curriculum should not dictate national policy. He called for discussions on the UEC to be set aside to avoid diverting attention from broader national concerns, adding that constitutional principles must take precedence. Several commentators addressed the academic rigour and recognition of the certificate. Siin Thean said UEC students also sit for the SPM, ensuring proficiency in BM and History. Mohd Azil said the UEC is academically challenging, particularly in Chinese and core subjects, and is widely recognised by private and international universities for undergraduate study. “While UEC and STPM are equivalent in pre-university standards, they differ in educational pathway, with senior UEC graduates able to apply directly to universities without completing Form 6.” – By Kirtinee Ramesh

continues to provoke strong public reactions, with discussions focusing on language proficiency, education standards and national cohesion. Social media platforms such as Reddit and Facebook have emerged as forums for discussion, reflecting a wide spectrum of views. Reddit user TrippingInSpace420, identifying as Malaysian Chinese, voiced support for recognising the certificate, provided students demonstrate fluency in Bahasa Malaysia (BM), both written and oral. “Being fluent in an extra language has more pros than cons, especially when it is the national language, enabling communication with hundreds of millions of speakers worldwide.” Other Reddit users emphasised the practical importance of BM proficiency. User EY-MY said Malaysian Chinese, particularly those born after independence, should be able to communicate effectively in the national language. “It has been so long, yet there are still students from Chinese schools who cannot speak proper BM, even when it is essential.” The user added that pride in one’s mother tongue is important but practicality should not be overlooked, adding that BM is easier to learn today due to the influence of English terms. Certain users critiqued arguments against UEC recognition. User Neither-Ad-3759 said opposition to the certificate based on its use of Chinese overlooks the fact that other foreign-based qualifications such as A-levels, taught in English, are widely accepted for university entry. Meanwhile, user Alert_Card472 proposed a systemic solution: revamp Malaysia’s public education system to rival international schools, emphasising STEM, the arts and relevant curricula , while removing religious content during school hours.

o Recognition must comply with Federal Constitution, relevant laws, says academic

UNDERSTANDING THE UEC ISSUE

1961

Chinese independent schools opt out of national curriculum Need for a unified examination emerges

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

1975

UEC introduced by Dong Zong Standardised school-leaving examination created Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional promise UEC recognition Condition: credit in Bahasa Melayu (SPM) Education Ministry says no plan to recognise UEC Cites National Education Policy and Education Act 2018 2023 ed tanHarap

PETALING Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Malaysian Inclusive Development and Advancement Institute deputy director Dr Anuar Ahmad said the long-standing debate over the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) in Malaysia should be resolved through the courts, rather than political channels. “The issue is not about implementation or education quality. It has been (ongoing) since 1961.” He said the government has allowed UEC examinations to be conducted in Chinese independent schools for decades. What remains unresolved is the demand for full recognition, which would allow UEC holders to enter public universities or apply for public sector jobs on equal footing with STPM graduates. “This is the core issue. Full recognition would create two parallel certifications: STPM under the national education system and the UEC.” He added that the situation raises questions of fairness, particularly when students taking SPM and STPM study in Malay, while UEC students study in Mandarin. “When applying to (public universities), this appears unequal, creating a perception of double standards.” He suggested a single national certification, STPM, with options to include Mandarin, Tamil or other languages as exam components. “This would remove the need for dual certifications while respecting linguistic diversity.” He said the UEC debate is a legal, not an educational issue, adding that while it offers quality education and is accepted by private institutions, its recognition must comply with the Federal Constitution and relevant laws. He urged the United Chinese School Committees’ Association (Dong Zong) to seek a court ruling for clarification. “If the court finds that the certificate aligns with the Constitution, then it could be recognised. If it does not meet constitutional, language or education requirements, recognition cannot proceed.” Anuar said other countries, including Singapore and China, do not officially recognise the UEC as equivalent to their education systems, even if the qualification is accepted for certain purposes abroad. “This is not about oppression or discrimination. The solution is legal. JAYA:

2016

Sarawak recognises UEC Accepted for state civil service and state universities

2020

PH task force on UEC dissolved after change of government Recognition process stalls DAP leaders renew calls for recognition Opposition from Umno Youth resurfaces UEC debate reignited 2024–2025 the constitutionality of the certificate, and the government must respect that decision.” He criticised the decades-long delay in resolving the matter. “From 1975 to 2025, 50 years have passed without the matter being tested in court. Legal channels would have been faster than political debates.” He drew parallels with court cases involving national-type primary schools (Chinese and Tamil), which were resolved through the judiciary. In 2021, the High Court ruled the schools lawful under the Constitution. In 2023, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision and the Federal Court confirmed the rulings. “After these rulings, no one disputes the legality of the schools. Similarly, the issue should be settled in court, with the ruling respected.” He also said politicising the debate is unnecessary. “The law decides. Once a court Courts should decide

RM10.4m drugs seized in raid SHAH ALAM: Police seized drugs worth RM10.4 million and arrested three individuals in a raid on a three-storey terrace house in Kajang on Dec 8.

theSun Graphics by Kirtinee Ramesh

rules, it must be respected. This is the proper path forward for UEC recognition in Malaysia.” He also urged all parties, including Dong Zong, to take the legal route for a definitive and lasting solution. “Once the law speaks, everyone must accept it. “This is how we ensure fairness, legality and clarity in our education system.” National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Fouzi Singon said Malaysia places a high value on harmony and national unity, which relies on shared standards in language and education. He said fully recognising the certificate could set a precedent, leading other communities to demand similar recognition and potentially upset the social balance. “The UEC is designed to meet foreign systems, such as those in Taiwan or China and may not align with Malaysia’s educational needs or standards.”

Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the suspects, two local women and a foreign man, were believed to have acted as packers at the premises, which was suspected to have been used as a storage facility for various types of drugs over the past three months. He said in addition to drugs weighing about 81kg, police also seized 1,600 sticks of cigarettes suspected to contain ganja buds, estimated to weigh about 2kg, as well as 400 boxes of beverages and bottles believed to contain liquid ecstasy, with a total volume of approximately 195.5 litres. “The raid was carried out by the Selangor Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department in collaboration with the Kajang police headquarters. We believe all