KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 ― A Sabah state minister wants the federal Education Ministry to clarify how the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) issued by independent vernacular Chinese schools affects Malaysia’s sovereignty.

Datuk Teo Chee Kang who is Sabah minister in charge of special tasks said it was “acceptable” if the federal government declined to recognise the vernacular school leaving certificate for now, but was bewildered by the link to “national sovereignty”, The Borneo Post reported today.

“I wonder whether he knew what he was talking about. While it is acceptable that for now, the government does not recognise UEC because it does not fall squarely within the national curriculum and education policy, I cannot understand how is it related to national sovereignty.

“It was said that the government’s stand was based on a cabinet decision on November 6, 2015. I don’t think that the federal cabinet can be so rigid on the issue of recognising UEC. Ministers who take interest in this matter should clarify to clear the air,” Teo who is also Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president was quoted saying.

He was responding to reports citing Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan's remarks on the matter in the Dewan Rakyat earlier this week.

On Tuesday, Kamalanathan reportedly said that Putrajaya cannot recognise the UEC as it was not based on national curriculum and education policy, and that it was also a question of national interest and sovereignty.

Public universities in the country have denied entry to UEC holders, awarded to graduates of independent Chinese schools.

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem said he will continue to support the UEC even if it is inconsistent with federal policy.

The UEC is recognised and accepted in many countries, including Australia, Britain, Canada and the US where Chinese is not the main lingua franca.