KLSCAH: UEC can wait, economic recovery more important

The recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) as a certified examination, allowing Independent Chinese school students admittance into public tertiary institutions, is secondary to Malaysia’s economic recovery, said the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH).
The recognition of the UEC was mentioned in the BN and Pakatan Harapan election manifestoes in the 14th general election (GE14) and again in the latter’s manifesto in GE15.
However, KLSCAH president Ngan Teng Ye believes that there was no urgency for its implementation as it was a contentious subject that could be used as a tool by “a few narrow-minded individuals to create controversy in order to seize power.”
“The new government should focus on the country’s economic recovery.

“We need to be aware that extreme racial and religious sentiments will threaten national peace and social harmony if not dealt with properly,” he said in his speech in conjunction with KLSCAH’s 99th-anniversary celebration yesterday.
Ngan said Malaysia was entering an era of political diversity in governance and certain goals like the recognition of the UEC could not be achieved in a short period of time.

“Our country is undergoing unprecedented changes and although the government formation has been decided, social and economic development remains complicated, with many challenges yet to be faced.
“It is predictable that diverse and inclusive policies will take a long time and can be a continuous struggle,” he said.

In describing the vision of the Chinese community in the country, Ngan said it was one where all parties worked together to ensure openness and inclusiveness whilst learning from each other, the concept of diversity.