SIBU: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Youth Central is greatly concerned over the recent announcement by the Director-General of the Federal Ministry of Higher Education, Datuk Prof Dr Azlinda Azman recently.
She stated that the Cabinet has agreed that public university programmes available for holders of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) are currently limited mainly to Bachelor’s Degree programmes related to Chinese Language and Chinese Studies only.
SUPP Youth Central chairman, Cr Kevin Lau Kor Jie pointed out that such a limited approach is unrealistic and insufficient if the objective is to retain local talent and strengthen Malaysia’s human capital development.
“While we acknowledge that there appears to be some progress in providing pathways for students from Chinese Independent Secondary Schools into public universities through the UPU Online system, subject to candidates sitting for Bahasa Melayu and History papers conducted by the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate (LPM), the programmes offered remain far too restrictive.
“Recognition of the UEC should not merely exist in name, but must translate into meaningful opportunities for students to pursue professional and academic pathways aligned with their talents, aspirations, and future career development in Malaysia,” he said in a press statement yesterday (May 15).
Lau, who is also SUPP Bawang Assan Branch chairman stated that Chinese Independent Secondary Schools have long been recognised for providing quality education, producing students who excel particularly in Mathematics, Science, and other technical fields.
As such, he asserted that broader access should be given for UEC holders to pursue programmes in STEM, finance, business, law, and other critical industries so that their talents can be harnessed locally.
Policies, he added, should focus on retaining talent and reducing brain drain, rather than implementing half-hearted measures that fail to address the needs and expectations of the younger generation.
In this regard, he stated the five Democratic Action Party (DAP) Ministers in the Federal Cabinet, as well as the Deputy Minister of Education from DAP, should clarify their position within the Cabinet to the Chinese community, which appears to contradict their long-standing election promises that the UEC would receive full recognition.
He noted that the Sarawak Government has recognised the UEC for more than a decade since the administration of the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, and this policy continues to receive strong support under the leadership of the Premier, Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Through Sarawak’s Free Tertiary Education Scheme, he stated UEC holders are accepted into state-owned universities across 64 undergraduate programmes, including STEM, law, and finance-related courses. This demonstrates that a more inclusive and practical policy approach is both achievable and beneficial for talent development.
“The Federal Ministry of Higher Education needs to seriously clarify and must ensure that education policies genuinely support students’ long-term career pathways and future progression, rather than introducing measures for short-term political gains while younger generations are left to bear the consequences.
“Malaysia cannot afford to lose more talented young people simply because opportunities at home remain unnecessarily limited,” Lau added.
