KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today said any education system that seeks formal recognition must accept the use of Bahasa Melayu and Malaysian history.

In the royal address to open this year’s Parliamentary sitting, the Agong said those who cannot accept the use of national language should “not stay in Malaysia”.

“If we want to create a new education system, it must be in line with the national education policy, and Bahasa Melayu must be the main language as it is the national language,” he said.

“Hence, any proposal to recognise any other education system must accept Bahasa Melayu and Malaysian history. If there are those who cannot accept Bahasa Melayu, it’s better you don’t stay in Malaysia”.

The reprimand came amid a renewed push for the United Examination Certificate (UEC) adopted by Chinese independent high schools to be recognised, often a flashpoint for race relations in multi-ethnic Malaysia.

The DAP, a predominantly Chinese party, recently said it would continue to fight for the certificate’s recognition. 

Last month, DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming said the party would meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to seek the exam’s formalisation.

The move was seen as a bid to shore up support from the ethnic Chinese minority after Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan coalition was trounced at the Sabah state elections in November, where the DAP lost all the seats it contested.