The Bersatu president viewed the move as a rushed decision that had political purposes. “It may have been to ensure DAP’s continuous support for the coalition government that we have today,” he said in a Facebook post.
Muhyiddin maintained that key policy decisions should not be made based on political considerations alone, calling for holistic studies to be done first to weigh the impact this move would have on the national education system.
“This includes the implications on the position of Bahasa Melayu as the national language, national unity, and the Malaysian identity. Education is not merely a medium to produce human capital for the purpose of national development. It is also a tool to build and unite the nation,” he said.
He urged the government to return to the fundamentals of the national education policy and its philosophy in weighing the policy on UEC graduates.
Muhyiddin recalled that when he was education minister (from 2009 to 2015), he had commissioned a study on recognising the UEC, and met the United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) over the matter.
The study found that the UEC’s examination syllabus was not aligned with the national education policy. He then suggested that the ministry carry out a holistic study on the syllabus and administration of Chinese independent secondary schools before considering recognition of the UEC.
“However, my proposal was rejected by Dong Zong, and the government decided not to recognise the UEC,” he said.
Muhyiddin was commenting on the Cabinet’s decision announced today to allow students from tahfiz institutions, private schools, and Chinese independent secondary schools to enter public universities if they hold a full SPM certificate.
UEC graduates without a full SPM certificate but who sit for BM and History subjects conducted by the Malaysian Examination Board may apply to enrol in limited programmes on Chinese linguistics or Chinese studies.
Muhyiddin said under the previous policy, UEC graduates with full SPM certificates were limited to furthering their studies in certain programmes involving Chinese studies or linguistics. He urged the government to maintain the existing policy on university entrance via STPM, foundation programmes or matriculation.