UMNO Deputy President Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated that as long as the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) is taught in the national language and the curriculum is designed in line with the country's vision, the government has no issue recognizing it.
However, if the UEC does not meet these conditions, it cannot be regarded as equivalent to the national standard qualifications.
Mohamad Hasan, who is also the Foreign Minister, wrote in a Facebook post titled “The Dilemma of UEC and National Interests” on Thursday (December 11) that as a sovereign country, the education system must align with the nation's vision, be based on the country's missions, interests, and ideals, and must be implemented in the national language to strengthen national identity.
He stated that in order to reflect diversity and respect the interests of various ethnic groups, the government has never obstructed the implementation of UEC, and Dong Zong has been conducting UEC since 1975 without facing any issues in its practice.
“The issue lies in whether to recognize the qualification of UEC.”
Mohamad Hasan pointed out that if the UEC is conducted in the national language and aligns with the national vision, the government does not object to its recognition.
“But if the UEC does not meet the above conditions, it cannot be regarded as equivalent to the national standard qualification.”
“As a multiracial country, consolidating unity is not easy. Therefore, we believe that the only way to build national identity is through education in the national language and curriculum design based on local wisdom while aligning with international standards. When implementing this, we also ensure that our standards do not deviate from global best practices.”
He reminded that education should not be politicized, as it is the arena where children of all ethnicities learn to cooperate and promote harmony.
He stated that Malaysians who do not agree with the mission of national education can choose the UEC system—no one will stop you—but no one should force the government to recognize or treat the UEC qualification as equivalent.
“Because its curriculum design is not intended to cultivate national identity and does not fit the uniqueness of our education system.”
He noted that entering university with the UEC is not an issue, as most universities domestically and internationally accept the UEC.
He stressed that if the UEC system does not undergo reforms to meet the national vision, it will continue to be a system distinct from the national education system, and there is no need for the government to formally recognize it.