Speaking at the Pakatan Harapan convention in Johor Bahru today, Loke praised Anwar for addressing the long-standing issue, stating that no previous administration had shown the courage to address the matter.
“PAS and Bersatu previously agreed (to recognise the UEC), but when Anwar implements it now, they say it is wrong and blame DAP. This is hypocrisy,” he said.
“I salute Anwar – he is a brave leader.
“The Chinese community needs to open their eyes. They say their expectations are not met, and that Anwar has deceived them.
“(MCA president) Wee Ka Siong also speaks this way. Enough of that, MCA did not resolve the issue when they were in the government. It is Anwar who got it done.”
Loke, the transport minister, noted that the UEC is not intended to replace the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). He said the qualification is considered comparable to the UK’s A-Levels.
He said about 80% of students sitting for the UEC have also sat for the SPM over the past five years.
This countered claims by certain quarters that UEC students are not fluent in Bahasa Melayu, and the statistic played a key role in the Cabinet’s decision.
Loke also said the issue should be viewed strictly as an education policy aimed at expanding access to higher learning opportunities.
He reiterated the importance of BM as the national language, and said Malaysians should also be proficient in multiple languages, including English, Mandarin, Tamil and Arabic.
The Cabinet has decided 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 the BM and History subjects conducted by the Malaysian Examination Board may apply to enrol in limited programmes on Chinese linguistics or Chinese studies.
Among those who cricitised the Cabinet’s decision are former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who claimed the policy was a political decision taken merely to retain DAP’s support.