KUALA LUMPUR: Contrary to reports by several news media outlets, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin did not say that the government will recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) at a meeting with leaders of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zhong) on July 16.
The clarification was made in a statement by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), today.
"With regard to the issue of recognition for UEC raised at the meeting between the Hua Zhong leadership and the prime minister on July 16, 2020, we wish to clarify that the prime minister did not say the government would recognise UEC," the statement read.
It said that Muhyiddin instead said that UEC gained partial recognition when the government previously accepted UEC holders for the PISMP teaching degree programme specialising in the Chinese language at Institut Pendidikan Guru Malaysia (IPGM).
It said the government had, in 2012, accepted UEC holders for the PISMP programme in Chinese who passed the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), and obtained at least a credit in Bahasa Melayu.
"The prime minister also stressed that the UEC should follow the National Education Policy if it is seeking a resolution with the government on the matter," the statement added.
According to recent news reports, Hua Zhong claimed that Muhyiddin had expressed his hope that one day, the government would recognise the UEC.
It claimed that Muhyiddin said this at their meeting at the Parliament building a few days ago.