“We deeply regret that the Sarawak government repeatedly claims to recognize the UEC, but the fact is evident: UEC holders, due to lacking an SPM certificate, cannot apply for scholarships and cannot even apply for educational loans that need to be repaid in the future. This raises doubts about whether the Sarawak government truly recognizes the UEC or favors the SPM certificate. If the Sarawak government recognizes the UEC, why isn’t this independent school student allowed to apply for a scholarship or even a repayable education loan?”
Upon learning of the student’s predicament, Chong expressed shock and indignation, questioning the Sarawak government's willingness and sincerity in recognizing the UEC and its practical utility.
He stated that in their state of helplessness, the student's parents sought his assistance, and he instructed his assistant to immediately approve a funding allocation and hand it over to her family on the spot to pay part of her tuition, thus aiding her to continue her two-year master's program at UTS University.
“I think this situation is very ironic and further exposes that the Sarawak government merely pays lip service to recognizing the UEC but fails to implement it in policy!”
He said that if the Sarawak government sincerely recognizes the UEC, it should provide explicit recognition in policy, rather than subject UEC holders to such difficulties. Thus, Chong hopes the Sarawak government re-evaluates this policy to truly implement the recognition of the UEC and allow UEC holders to enjoy equal educational opportunities as those with SPM or even STPM certificates.