Not recognizing the UEC is fast becoming a running joke

In June of this year 2018, PM Tun Dr. Mahathir told Channel NewsAsia that “Disparity in any society is bad, even if it’s a single ethnic (group). You have the rich, very rich, and the poor, very poor... you are inviting conflict. But when the rich belong to one race, and the poor to another race, the potential for conflict is much greater.”

Hence, according to our PM, the need for the continuation of affirmative action despite a pledge by the ruling government to abolish NEP in its manifesto.

Today, after nearly half a decade of affirmative action in favour of Bumiputeras, we can easily rattle off the names of Malaysians residing in Malaysia who are millionaires and billionaires. 

‘Congratulations’ are definitely in order and perhaps it is time to switch affirmative action to helping races other than the Bumiputeras for the next 50 years. But no. Having experienced it all firsthand, we would not wish such hardship and indignity among our fellow Malaysians. 

A much better suggestion would be to stop ugly race politics in its track by helping all Malaysians according to their needs regardless of their racial profile. 

This is also where recognizing UEC comes in. Education should ideally be the pursuit of knowledge and betterment of humanity. It should not become a platform for politics and racist propaganda.

The Education minister, Maszlee Malik has given us assurances that there will be no flip- flops on the decision to recognize UEC but what many are worried about is that even after the new government recognizes UEC, there are no guarantees that they are obligated to accept it just like how they are not obligated to accept non bumiputera students with straight As into public universities in Malaysia to this very day. 

UEC is recognized in top universities abroad - in Australia, UK, Ireland, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Japan, United States, Taiwan, China, France and Canada, just to name a few. It is recognized in private local universities but amusingly, not in local public universities. 

It is only fair to say that non-bumiputera students’ parents also pay taxes and funded public local universities that their children have no access to. They then have to pay expensive school fees, maybe contributed towards Chinese education funds to support UEC and finally fund their children’s exorbitant overseas universities fees -only to let them serve in the countries they pursued their university studies in.

Imagine spending millions of dollars feeding a baby, putting a shelter over its head, clothing and educating it; and after spending the millions we let them serve other countries..how stupid can we get? If this is not the epitome of brain drain, I do not know what is.

Chinese Independent schools have been in existent ever since 1923 when Chung Ling school in Penang started its secondary level classes and the recognition of the UEC has featured in practically every general election since 1986. 

The litany of excuses right up to 2018 for not recognizing the UEC is fast becoming a running joke. It would be funny if it were not on such a serious issue. 

One of the most popular excuse is that the UEC is purely a question of academic assessment for the MQA and not a political issue. If this is true, my first question would be : So why is an exam standard that is accepted worldwide not good enough for our own public universities? 

In Malaysia, a number of non Chinese parents are sending their children to Chinese schools as they see the economic value of Chinese education. What more can one say except perhaps:Yes...the proof is in the pudding.

It is indeed an excruciating fact that  something we care about so deeply -the simple provision of a decent education for our children has to involve so many hidden agendas that make lives difficult for our youngsters who are already struggling with their fair share of problems in a family where both parents most likely have to work to make ends meet.

The late Sarawak chief minister Adenan Satem echoed the frustrations of many when he hit out at the government of not recognizing the UEC. Labelling it a "stupid policy", he said it was senseless not to recognise the UEC because it had since led to a brain drain and exodus of talents to countries which recognised it.

"Numerous countries all over the world recognise the UEC, but not Malaysia ... what a waste," he said. 

The well loved Adenan left a great legacy for Sarawak and Sarawakians. Besides bringing up MA63 and fighting for Sarawak’s rights to its oil and gas , he will be forever remembered for his administration's recognition of the United Examination Certificate issued by Chinese schools.

"It is a sad day for Sarawak and Sarawakians. We lost a great leader whose focus was on the interest of the state and its people," said Fadillah, then Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth chief. He also added that  it was important that Adenan’s legacy continued and that “We must now make sure that we continue whatever wishes he (Adenan ) had for the people and Sarawak.”

That is exactly why we must all stand firmly behind our present CM, Abang Jo who has bravely carried on Adenan Satem’s legacy of seeing Sarawak through it all-the more urgent ones as of right now being the immediate recognition of UEC and not least, the prompt recognition of MA63, to return what is rightfully ours as promised in PH’s manifesto.