Kuching: Stampin MP and DAP Sarawak Chairman Chong Chieng Jen has called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to take immediate steps to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), stressing that the move is in line with election promises.
He said the recognition of UEC is a promise not only in Pakatan Harapan’s Manifesto but also in Barisan Nasional’s.
“While the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) election manifesto does not have the agenda for recognition of UEC, but it has recognised UEC in Sarawak; thus, there should be no problem for the five GPS ministers in the Federal cabinet to support the agenda to recognise UEC.
“As all three major components of the Unity Government have, one way or another committed to the recognition of UEC, there should not be any issues for its recognition,” he said.
Chong added that the UEC’s recognition by the Federal Government is fully constitutional.
He noted Article 152 of the Federal Constitution (1)(b), which preserves the rights of the Federal Government to sustain the use and study of the Chinese Language which provision shall not be affected by the National Language Acts, 1963/67.
Article 152 of the Federal Constitution provides as follows:
” (1) The national language shall be the Malay language and shall be in such script as Parliament may by law provide: Provided that-
(a) no person shall be prohibited or prevented from using (otherwise than for official purposes), or from teaching or learning, any other language; and
(b) nothing in this Clause shall prejudice the right of the Federal Government or of any State Government to preserve and sustain the use and study of the language of any other community in the Federation.”
Therefore, Chong said, Anwar’s concern about the constitutionality of the Federal Government recognising the UEC for the Chinese Middle Schools is unfounded and unwarranted.
“It is pertinent that Anwar should, without further delay, lead the step to recognise UEC and remove the thorn that has been pricking the hearts of the Chinese community all these years,” he said.
