Sarawak leads the way recognising UEC

In line with recognition of education autonomy 'since KL is taking too long'

KUCHING - The Sarawak Government has decided to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) in a landmark decision. The recognition will apply to the state civil service, university and Sarawak Foundation (Yayasan Sarawak) scholarships.


The only requirement is that UEC applicants must score at least a credit in Bahasa Malaysia in SPM. UEC is the Chinese Independent school qualification equivalent of STPM.

SUPP President Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian made the stunning announcement Monday following the party's UEC task force meeting.

He told reporters Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem had given him the greenlight to make the announcement.

Dr Sim was quoted as saying that Adenan said that since the Federal Government was "too slow" (in making a decision), the state will go ahead and recognise UEC.

He added that technical issues would be worked out with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), University College of Technology Sarawak, and the Sarawak campuses of Swinburne Unversity of Technology and Curtin University. Except for Unimas, the Sarawak government has stakes in all the universities.

As for UEC holders who enter the state civil service, they would be placed under the Employees' Provident Fund rather than the pension scheme.

In an immediate reaction, Board of Management for Kuching Chung Hua Middle Schools No1,3 and 4 chairman Richard Wee called the decision "historical".

"I did not expect the announcement this morning. This is something that will make Sarawak a little bit different. It relates to Adenan saying he wants our autonomy to be recognised.

"Going forward I hope it will give impetus to other states, and eventually, the Federal Government to recognise UEC nationwide," Wee said.

In an immediate response, opposition SAPP said pressure is now expected to build on Sabah which has also been seeking Federal Government recognition of the examination, like elsewhere in the country.

Non-recognition of the UEC, which is the Chinese Independent school qualification equivalent to STPM, has been over the years a stumbling block for Chinese-medium students seeking education opportunities in government universities and civil service appointments.

Sabah Progressive Party President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said now that Sarawak is going ahead, the immediate pressure is on the Federal Government to concur with Sarawak.

"It looks like the Sarawak government is forcing the issue. This is the way to go because the Federal Government is still dilly-dallying on education autonomy for Sarawak," he said. Yong believed once Sabah sees the benefits of granting recognition to UEC, then Sabah might follow Sarawak's footsteps, Yong said he is sceptical if the "Malayan-led Sabah government will take a similar bold step."

Nonetheless, he said, there is no stopping Sabah to follow suit once Sarawak achieves education autonomy.

"I think the Sabah Government leaders will wait for the Federal Government to grant recognition to UEC. So that the Sabah Government does not have to take this bold step.

"But if the Federal Government refuses to go along with Sarawak, then Sabah will have to decide whether to go along with Sarawak or remain subservient to the Federal authorities," he said.