CM: Sarawak will keep recognising UEC, doesn’t matter what Putrajaya decides

KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 — The Sarawak government will not change its mind on recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) even if it is inconsistent with federal policy, Sarawak chief minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem has said.

Adenan said he wished that the federal government would change its current policy of denying UEC holders entry to public universities, but stressed that the Sarawak government will not be affected by Putrajaya’s decision.

“I wish they would but if they don’t, it doesn’t affect us,” he was quoted saying by local daily The Star.

“Whether the federal government recognises it or not, it’s up to them, but as far as the state government and state institutions are concerned, we recognise.

“For instance, the state civil service is strictly a state matter. The Sarawak Foundation (which gives scholarships and loans) is also a state matter,” he said.

Adenan was responding to news on Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, who had last weekend in Sarawak said that he had discussed Putrajaya’s policy on UEC holders with the state’s political leaders.

Idris had reportedly said that the product of UEC has to be consistent with the National Education Policy, also replying “I have said what needs to be said” when asked if the policy would be raised at Cabinet meetings.

Last September, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian met with Adenan and later announced the Barisan Nasional state government’s recognition of UEC as a qualification for entry into its civil service and University Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).        

Sarawak’s sole public university, Unimas, had recently cited national policies when saying it could not accept UEC holders.

Following an outburst by Adenan last November, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mary Yap said the same month that public universities will not recognise the UEC as a certificate for entry.

Adenan had last November criticised the federal government for its “stupid” policy of refusing to endorse the globally-recognised UEC awarded to graduates of local Chinese independent schools.

Adenan had said Putrajaya’s policy would contribute to the country’s brain drain problem as UEC graduates would continue working abroad after pursuing their studies there, declaring that Sarawak recognises the UEC.