Muhyiddin the biggest stumbling block to govt recognition of UEC: Nazri

(The Sun Daily) – TOURISM and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz (pix) said former deputy prime minister cum education minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was the biggest stumbling block to government recognition for the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

Speaking to Sin Chew Daily in an interview published today, Nazi said,” I support government recognition for UEC, and it was not mere verbal support”.

“I had met with Dong Zong (United Chinese School Committees Association) leaders to identify the reasons why UEC could not be recognised. After getting their acceptance to the pre-conditions for UEC’s recognition, including a credit in (SPM) Bahasa Malaysia, I brought up the matter for discussion in the Cabinet and I had made this public through the press. But Muhyiddin objected.

“Muhyiddin was the biggest stumbling block. Now that he is in Pakatan Harapan, he said he wants to get UEC recognised. Why hadn’t he done it when he had the power to do so as education minister (back then).

“For them, be they Muhyiddin or (former premier Tun Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad), to say that they want to recognise UEC, it only shows their insincerity. I have all the while been insisting that UEC be granted recognition on just one condition: a credit in Bahasa Malaysia,” he said.

Nazri stressed that he has never changed his stand on supporting government recognition for UEC, from the time Mahathir was still the prime minister unlike the latter, who, after joining the Pakatan, vowed to recognise the Chinese education certificate should the opposition coalition come to power when he did not do so when he was in power.

“You said Mahathir only said it now that he wants to recognise UEC? Hahahaha, how insincere! Why hadn’t he done it when he was in power? To me, it is an empty promise.”

Nazri said he will strongly request that UEC be recognised as an entry qualification for Universiti P. Ramlee (formerly Aswara, the National Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy).

He said he will also recommend that the university reserve 30% of its intake for UEC holders.