The United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) today hoped that its first meeting with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will herald the recognition of United Examination Certificate (UEC).
Dong Zong's chairperson Yap Sin Tian said that his delegation had hoped for a major announcement from Najib today, but a firm answer, if any, may take some time.
Yap (left) said this after an hour-long meeting with the premier today at the latter's office in Putrajaya."We had hoped for an announcement - good news from the prime minister today - but due to prevailing technical issues, more discussions are required.
"We are hoping that an announcement to recognise the United Examination Certificate (UEC) for entry into public universities can be done before the next general election," he told journalists after the meeting outside the Prime Minister's Department in Putrajaya.
Yap added that due to a time constraint, Dong Zong had discussed exclusively on the recognition of UEC, a certificate for independent Chinese secondary schools.
“There was a discussion on requiring students from Chinese medium schools to have at least a credit in SPM along with UEC as a condition for application into public universities.
“There was also a discussion on the issue of accreditation of the UEC Malay language subject,” he said.
A possible solution for all?
He added that the premier has also agreed to hold a meeting with the Education Ministry, Higher Education Ministry and possibly Dong Zong soon to find a solution that is acceptable to all.
Even though the meeting began at 12pm, Dong Zong’s six representatives only met the press outside the PM’s Department five hours later. The meeting itself was extended from 30 minutes to an hour.
Later, Yap explained that the long delay was due to the PM’s Department insisting on a joint press statement.
“This is the first time in more than 50 years we had to do a joint press statement, this is so that Dong Zong does not say one thing and the prime minister says another,” he said.
He added that Dong Zong’s two other demands - the construction of more independent Chinese schools and a review of the National Education Blueprint - were not discussed due to lack of time.
However, Yap described today’s meeting as constructive and stressed that it was not without results, albeit limited.
Asked if Dong Zong was concerned if it was merely being wooed for the general election, Yap responded that the organisation was merely reacting to the premier's invitation.
"The prime minister had invited us to meet him during our Chinese New Year open house, so it is only appropriate that we meet him," he said.
Prior to the 1999 general election, then Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad had similarly engaged Dong Zong on its demands.
However, after the national polls, Mahathir attacked Dong Zong by labeling the group as communists and extremists, thus dismissing their demands.
At the moment, present premier Najib Abdul Razak has engaged several groups ahead of the general election which must be called before April 29 when Parliament automatically dissolves.
“There was also a discussion on the issue of accreditation of the UEC Malay language subject,” he said.
A possible solution for all?
He added that the premier has also agreed to hold a meeting with the Education Ministry, Higher Education Ministry and possibly Dong Zong soon to find a solution that is acceptable to all.
Even though the meeting began at 12pm, Dong Zong’s six representatives only met the press outside the PM’s Department five hours later. The meeting itself was extended from 30 minutes to an hour.
Later, Yap explained that the long delay was due to the PM’s Department insisting on a joint press statement.
“This is the first time in more than 50 years we had to do a joint press statement, this is so that Dong Zong does not say one thing and the prime minister says another,” he said.
He added that Dong Zong’s two other demands - the construction of more independent Chinese schools and a review of the National Education Blueprint - were not discussed due to lack of time.
However, Yap described today’s meeting as constructive and stressed that it was not without results, albeit limited.
Asked if Dong Zong was concerned if it was merely being wooed for the general election, Yap responded that the organisation was merely reacting to the premier's invitation.
"The prime minister had invited us to meet him during our Chinese New Year open house, so it is only appropriate that we meet him," he said.Prior to the 1999 general election, then Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad had similarly engaged Dong Zong on its demands.
However, after the national polls, Mahathir attacked Dong Zong by labeling the group as communists and extremists, thus dismissing their demands.
At the moment, present premier Najib Abdul Razak has engaged several groups ahead of the general election which must be called before April 29 when Parliament automatically dissolves.
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