SIBU – DAP needs to be the voice of the Malaysian Chinese community, particularly when it comes to the longstanding issue of Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) recognition, said Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.
The Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president said given that an estimated 90% of the Chinese voters voted for DAP in the 15th general election (GE15), it is time for the party to provide a meaningful leadership to the Malaysian Chinese community and be responsive to their needs.
“DAP ought to have a special responsibility in speaking out on behalf of the legitimate concerns and interests of the some seven million or more Malaysian Chinese in this country.
“Who else can the Malaysian Chinese community look up to for their concern, aspirations and grievances except DAP?
“It is therefore hoped that DAP can speak up on behalf of the Malaysian Chinese community, particularly when it comes to the long standing issue of UEC recognition,” he said in a statement here today, in response to Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s decision to not recognise UEC.
Sarawak recognises the UEC, a pre-university certificate from Chinese independent schools. The recognition allows UEC holders to apply to study at public universities in the state.
In a brief written parliamentary reply on March 1, Fadhlina was quoted by FMT as saying that this stand was based on the National Education Policy, and the Education Act 1996.
Wong added that DAP-Pakatan Harapan (PH) had pledged to the people and written in its manifesto that their immediate task after coming to power is to recognise the UEC.
Furthermore, DAP had played a dominant role in forging the present Malaysian unity government, the Bawang Assan assemblyman said.
“For this unity government to continue to survive, it is of vital importance for DAP to openly persuade all communities, including Malaysian Chinese, Malays, Indians, Dayaks and Kadazans and all others; that when it comes to solving issues affecting the interests of all communities, we should not divide ourselves with the inherited bondage of communalism, racism and theories of superiority or dominance.
“If we do, we will surely not bring about national unity and stability, only disunity and even disintegration. We must be fully aware of and sensitive to the needs and aspirations of all our communal groups, and to their needs and commitment to the Malaysian community and nation.
“We all must play the role in encouraging respect and tolerance for diversity in education, culture and religion, with commitment to a liberal, democratic society and our identity as Malaysians above any other identity,” he said.
Moreover, Chinese independent secondary schools have contributed immensely towards our manpower requirements throughout the years, he added.
“Hundreds of universities around the world in so many countries, including developed nations, recognise the UEC and welcome our UEC students with open arms into their universities and higher institutions of learning.
“Some countries, including Singapore, even provide scholarships to our UEC students. But at our home front, at our doorsteps, doors are shut on them. It should not be the case. We all know that the Chinese everywhere are well known for their deep-rooted devotion to education.
“Similarly, their willingness to sacrifice in ensuring a good education for their children has been ingrained in their psyche. For many, they clamour for their children to be educated at Chinese independent secondary schools. They are willing to pay high school fees for it. They believe that Chinese language, being the lingua franca of a quarter of the total population of the world, is of great importance,” he said.
He observed that the Malaysian Chinese, being ethnically and biologically Chinese and educated in the Chinese language, will have all the advantages in the business world to bring immense benefits to Malaysia, particularly with China emerging as a dominant power.
“As it is, a great number of our UEC graduates opt to go overseas and most of them do not return and stay overseas to pursue a profession and career. Brain drain on our part as a nation is quite significant.
“We must know that there is little meaning if only Sarawak as a state recognises UEC if the federal government does not do so. All our local public universities are under federal jurisdiction; the doors are shut on them (the Malaysian Chinese community).
“Their only option is to go overseas. It is rather ironic that they are welcomed all over the world and rejected by their own country.
“No wonder they often say: we love our own country Malaysia, but our own country Malaysia does not love us.” – Borneo Post Online, March 5, 2023
