PETALING JAYA, Jan 17 (Sin Chew Daily) — Eddin Khoo, chairman of the special committee on Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), said UEC recognition is a highly complicated perception and racial issue, not just a matter of administration and honoring an election pledge.

During an interview with
Sin Chew Daily, Khoo said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has sufficient political will to recognize UEC, or he wouldn’t have established this special committee to study and compile data on UEC.

“When Tun Mahathir tells you we need to take care of the feelings of the Malays, that does not mean he is not willing to recognize UEC. He is just telling you this is the problem, and indeed it is a perception issue.

“Many people are totally unaware of the problem of recognizing UEC. I think Malaysians should understand that this is a racial issue which happens to be at the center of our racist politics, totally unrelated to education itself.

Irresponsible politicians

“Many people, especially the Malays, do not understand the truth. In addition, politicians have also been very irresponsible in promoting incorrect information.”

Khoo said it is necessary for the special committee on UEC to submit a comprehensive report to the government.

He said the committee has so far met 25 organizations and individuals, and will travel around the country to meet more in order to listen to their views on UEC recognition, adding that it will also listen to media companies’ suggestions in future before drawing up a very detailed report.

“We all agree that the country’s education system is in a mess. Parents are looking for alternatives and we cannot keep insisting the national education curriculum without doing anything to improve the country’s education system,” he asserted.

Khoo said many people do not actually resist UEC but they have conditions, such as the status of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language.