FORMER MP Charles Santiago has criticised the federal government for what he described as continued ambiguity and political hesitation over the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), arguing that it reflects a growing gap between electoral promises and governance.
In a statement, Santiago said the debate surrounding the UEC once again highlighted the tension between principle and political expediency in Malaysia.
“Despite repeated assurances made during election campaigns, the government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has yet to take a clear position on recognising the certificate.”
“An issue that was once framed around fairness and educational merit has increasingly been characterised by delays and deflection, driven largely by concerns over Malay sentiment,” the ex-Klang MP stressed.
He described this hesitation as particularly stark given that several state governments have already taken concrete steps to recognise the UEC.
Penang and Selangor, he pointed out, officially accept the UEC as an entry qualification for employment in state-owned companies and for admission into state-linked higher education institutions.
Sabah and Sarawak have also recognised the certificate for entry into their state-run universities. Santiago said these examples demonstrate that UEC recognition is workable and compatible with national interests.
He further reminded that Pakatan Harapan’s election manifestos contained explicit commitments to recognise the UEC, subject to reasonable conditions such as compliance with national education standards and Bahasa Malaysia requirements.
“This is a failure of leadership and the UEC has long been misrepresented as a threat to Malay rights or national cohesion despite a lack of evidence.
“Instead of addressing these perceptions directly, the government has opted for political caution over principled governance,” he added.
He stressed that recognising the UEC is not about privileging any single community, but about acknowledging educational diversity in a multiracial society.
Santiago urged the government to honour its commitments, saying leadership requires the courage to explain and stand by difficult decisions if Pakatan Harapan is to be remembered as a reformist administration. – December 15, 2025
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