Prof Teo Kok Seong, Ridhuan Tee vs Dong Zong: Even Chinese aren’t united in their UEC stance

 

AS the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) has again become a politically and racially divisive hot potato, it is interesting that the Chinese themselves are equally not united in their stance on the latest issue surrounding the generally-Mandarin based pre-university exam.

As it is, disgusted rightists have lambasted the Madani administration for its betrayal to the national education system by subtly recognising public university entry of UEC holders “alongside tahfiz (religious school) school leavers who already sat for SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia)”.

Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Teo Kok Seong, a renowned staunch opponent of the UEC within the Chinese community, claimed that any government which recognises the UEC “has berlaku zalim (acted tyrannically) on its people”.

According to the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) principal fellow of the Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA), the estimated 10,000 UEC holders produced annually would create unfair competition to Chinese children who have pursued the national education system.

“They’re supposed to pursue their secondary education at SMK but instead went to Chinese independent high schools (SMPC) because their parents who’re Mandarin-obsessed might have resisted due the use of Bahasa Melayu as the medium of instruction,” he had previously stated.

‘UEC a betrayal to Chinese children themselves’

Added the 73-year-old Kelantanese Straits Chinese:

They are aware of the consequences of choosing such path, ie cannot be accepted into the public sector … why after having completed the UEC, they want to return the national education system?

This is very unfair to Malaysians who follow the national system and more so Chinese children within the system … it’s very unjustified for Dong Zong to advocate the UEC holders to return to the system.

I’ve previously argued with three Dong Zong representatives from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) that their action is very greedy and only wanting to profiteer at all cost at the expense of Chinese kids who are faithful the national system given the existing quota for entry into public universities …

They can’t answer me … at the ned of the day, this is an absolute betrayal to all Malaysian children.

Teo’s fellow academician and Muslim convert preacher Ridhuan Tee Abdullah is steadfast that “whatever the reason is, UEC is still unacceptable in the national education system, let alone for entering public universities and civil services”.

“Accepting UEC means we’re betraying the Federal Constitution and national policy. UEC is a racist Chinese policy,” berated the former Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) professor in a Facebook post.

Added the Muafakat Nasional deputy president:

Isn’t the process of Chineseisation that has occurred not enough? This country has lost its identity. Gambling on the future for a piece of vote.

Study history to find out why was the UEC founder stripped of his citizenship? Don’t you feel sinful and guilty doing all this?

“Haram jadah” really having a leader (referring to Madani government) like this.

I wonder why not many educators (lecturers) stand up to give their opinions? What I see is that they would just extend congratulations when certain politicians get promoted. What’s wrong with the world today?

Meanwhile Dong Zong which is the association representing Chinese independent schools has slammed the Madani government for its “half-hearted” initiative to provide UEC graduates with pathways to public universities.

In particular, the United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia is upset with the government limiting the number of courses available to UEC graduates who do not have a full SPM certificate.

Under the government’s latest decision, UEC graduates who only sat for Bahasa Melayu and History subjects conducted by the Malaysian Examination Board may only apply for four courses in public institutions, all of which involve the Chinese language or Chinese studies.

“Why are there such distinct differences in programmes available for UEC graduates (with no SPM certificate)? What is the rationale of this double standard?” it hit out in a statement.

“We believe the government should be more open and appreciative of the contributions of Chinese independent secondary schools by implementing substantive reforms to ensure inclusive and fair access to education so that brain drain would be reduced.”

Well, is it too much to expect both the Chinese academicians regardless of their personal background and agenda as well as Dong Zong to iron out their differences so as able to speak in unison to once and for all lay to rest the divisive, long lingering UEC polemics? –  Focus Malaysia