Muhyiddin Warns UEC Recognition Could Create Dual Standards in Public University Admissions
PETALING JAYA: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president Muhyiddin Yassin has raised concerns over the proposed recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) for admission into public universities, warning that the move could create a dual-standard system within the country’s higher education framework.
According to him, no government agency has so far conducted a comprehensive evaluation involving quality assurance, syllabus auditing, examination standards, teaching methods and marking systems related to the UEC.
He said the absence of official government oversight raises concerns regarding the academic standards and governance of the examination system compared with national education pathways regulated by public institutions.
“If UEC is recognised for entry into public universities, there will effectively be another admission pathway whose academic standards are not regulated by government authorities,” he said in a statement today.
Muhyiddin explained that Malaysian students have traditionally entered degree programmes in public universities through pathways such as the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), matriculation and foundation programmes administered by government-linked bodies including Majlis Peperiksaan Malaysia, the Education Ministry’s matriculation division and public universities themselves.
According to him, these systems operate under government supervision in terms of curriculum, examinations and academic standards.
However, he claimed that the UEC examination system is administered entirely by non-governmental organisations and is not subjected to official government academic oversight.
Muhyiddin noted that UEC recognition for public university admission had previously been limited to selected Chinese language-related degree programmes, with applicants still required to possess the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).
He argued that extending recognition to all degree programmes in public universities would have major implications for Malaysia’s national education system.
The former prime minister also revealed that during his tenure as Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister under the previous Barisan Nasional administration, he had held discussions with Dong Zong regarding proposals to recognise the UEC.
According to him, studies conducted by Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia at the time concluded that the UEC curriculum and examination structure were not aligned with the National Education Policy and National Education Philosophy.
“At that time, I proposed that the government conduct a more comprehensive review of the Chinese independent school system, including the UEC curriculum and examination administration, before considering any recognition,” he said.
Muhyiddin added that the proposal was ultimately not accepted and the government at the time decided against recognising the UEC.
In the same statement, he also alleged that the Madani Government’s latest move on the issue was made hastily and may have been politically motivated.
He claimed the decision could be linked to efforts aimed at maintaining continued support from Democratic Action Party within the current coalition government.
The UEC issue has returned to the spotlight following the government’s recent announcement on opening selected public university admission pathways for students outside the national education system, including graduates from Chinese independent schools and tahfiz institutions.
The development has continued to spark debate among political leaders, education groups and the public over issues involving academic standards, national education policy and access to higher education for students from different educational backgrounds.
-wilayah.com.my
