Education Minister Maszlee Malik said his ministry is waiting for the report by the UEC Review Committee.

“The findings will be brought to the Cabinet,” he told reporters after launching the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) Sentuhan Kasih programme for schools under the Simpang Renggam parliamentary constituency here today.

The UEC is the unified examination for independent Chinese secondary schools which do not follow the national education system.

Asked about the Sabah government’s move in recognising the UEC, Maszlee said it was the decision of the state.

Last night, Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal said the state government would recognise the UEC as the entrance qualification for public institutions of higher learning and the state civil service.

However, he said the UEC holders must meet certain requirements.

Separately, Maszlee said the ministry was waiting for a report on claims a Year Four pupil in Likas, Sabah, was tortured with a stapler as punishment for not completing his school work two days ago.

“We want a thorough investigation into the case,” he said.

On the SPM and STPM Sentuhan Kasih programme, which was attended by Malaysia’s second astronaut, Dr Faiz Khaleed, he hoped it could motivate the students to excel in their examinations.