According to him, the state government had recognised the certificate since the late former chief minister Adenan Satem’s time and UEC holders could apply for jobs in the state civil service with this qualification.

“You don’t find this happening in other parts of the world, not even in Peninsular Malaysia. The federal government has not recognised UEC, not even when the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government said it wanted to.

“If the state government did not recognise it, UEC holders will end up working in and contributing to other countries,” he said.

Abang Johari said this during the launch of the Foochow Shi Yi Park and Dung Sang school projects at a hotel here yesterday.

He said the state government had always been supportive of the Chinese community, who placed much emphasis on education.

“Hence, they are allowed to set up their own schools and promote Chinese education. In accordance with this, the state government supports Chinese education with financial assistance to the tune of RM10 million annually, much like the support given to mission schools.

“Many non-Chinese send their children to Chinese schools because they know the quality of Chinese education is high,” he said.

On another note, Abang Johari said that as chief minister of Sarawak, he was equally concerned with the development of Sibu and the progress of other places in the state.

“People in Sibu need to be on the same page and wavelength in order to stay focused on achieving its city status.

“That is why they need a strong local team as much as Sarawak needs a strong government to forge ahead with development towards 2030 and to protect its rights as enshrined in the Constitution and Malaysia Agreement (MA63),” he said.

He congratulated the Sibu Foochow Association for building the Foochow Shi Yi Park at a cost of RM3.5 million and Dung Sang School Board for initiating the construction of a classroom block and multi-purpose hall at a cost of RM9 million.