Nga’s ‘slow like a turtle’ remark riles up Zambry

 The higher education minister says Nga Kor Ming's remark is an 'irresponsible statement' coming from a fellow Cabinet minister.

Zambry Abd Kadir, in response to Nga Kor Ming’s remark, said the proper avenue for discussion regarding the UEC is at the Cabinet table, not through open statements.

PETALING JAYA:

DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming has come under fire after he reportedly accused the higher education ministry of “being slow like a turtle” over allowing holders of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) to enter public universities.

Higher education minister Zambry Abd Kadir said Nga’s remark was an “irresponsible statement” by a fellow Cabinet member. (Nga is minister of housing and local government.)

Zambry said that decisions agreed upon by the Cabinet were made collectively and would require follow-up action involving various ministries and agencies, including the education ministry.

“Should there be any differences in views, the proper avenue for discussion is at the Cabinet table, not through open statements that disregard the governance and procedures of Cabinet meetings,” said Zambry, who is Barisan Nasional secretary-general and an Umno Supreme Council member.

Nga had made his remark at a Johor election campaign event in Segamat while explaining the government’s decision in May to allow qualified entrance to public universities to holders of the UEC, which is the school-leaving certificate of Chinese independent schools.

According to a China Press report, he had alleged that the UEC decision had been delayed by the higher education ministry “which is under Umno”.

Relations between Umno and DAP have been strained, although both parties are members of the federal unity coalition government led by Anwar Ibrahim.

In May, the Cabinet approved a new policy allowing UEC holders with a full SPM certificate to apply to all public universities, while those who sat for only the Bahasa Melayu and History papers are limited to four Chinese language-related courses.

DAP has long pushed for full recognition of the UEC. - FMT