In a statement today, the Prime Minister’s Office said Muhyiddin had said the UEC received partial recognition when the previous administration accepted UEC graduates for a teaching degree programme for the Chinese language subject under the Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia (IPGM).

That partial recognition, Muhyiddin said, was given in 2012 on condition the UEC graduates passed the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia and obtained at least a credit for Bahasa Melayu.

On Friday, Malaysiakini quoted Hua Zong as saying Muhyiddin “personally hopes” the government will one day recognise UEC.

UEC is a high school certificate awarded by independent Chinese schools. Because it is not recognised by the federal government, UEC holders are disqualified from admission to public universities and jobs in the civil service, with a few exceptions.

Recognition for UEC was among the promises in PH’s manifesto.

“The prime minister also stressed the UEC needs to follow the National Education Policy for the resolution of the issue to be considered by the government in the future,” the PMO said.

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