President of the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) is continuing the fight for the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) by Sarawak Government, calling it a small step towards a ‘big dream’.

In a press conference yesterday, President of the SUPP with the CWC leaders and the Chairman of Committee of Management Chung Hua 1, 3 and 4 and the Secretary General of United Association of the Schools of Management of Chinese Schools in Sarawak , Jonathan Chai said they will join force to pursue the matter. “It is not only a passion but it is the right thing to do for all who studied in Chinese schools,” he pointed out.

He said that SUPP is fully committed and will pursue vigorously on the matter to fight for UEC to be recognized in Sarawak first. Dr. Sim said for the Chinese community in Malaysia, to have the UEC recognized by the government is very important and dear to their hearts.

“This is not only for the Chinese who attended Chinese schools but a large percentage of Bumis estimated to be 15% in the nation attended these schools. In some areas, 90% of the Bumis studied in Chinese schools,” he stated.

Sarawak, he said is different from West Malaysia and the 18 points as contained in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 spelled out that Sarawak has autonomy in the Administrative of the civil service.

Dr. Sim said they would write to the Chief Minister first and called to everyone to work together towards making it a reality.

Dato Sebastian Ting, Secretary general of SUPP said should UEC be recognized, students can apply for the civil service job and those who are interested in the teaching profession, they could do so too. And they are entitled to apply for university loans from the State government.

He said in October 15 last year, the Chief Minister said if he has the authority to recognize UEC, he would do so. “The Chief Minister understands that there are a lot of Bumis in Chinese schools and has donated a tidy sum towards the schools which he said would be done annually,” said Ting.

Chairman of Committee of Management Chung Hua Middle No 1, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, Richard Wee said he was glad that SUPP has taken up the initiative to take the cue from the Chief Minister and move forward.

“Actually, this is what we have been fighting for a long time. Hopefully this time we can make it as it will have a big impact throughout the country should Sarawak be successful. So far neighbouring countries in Asean including China, Hong Kong, Australia, United Kingdom and United States recognized the certificates of UEC to allow students to be admitted to their universities. It is high time, our own country recognise the certificate,” he said.

Wee said should we be successful, we would be able to accept any students in the country who are interested to study here.

In most of the Chinese schools in Sarawak, there are some schools where the number of Bumi students overtook that of non-bumi. There was a school where 90% were Bumi and it was common to see Bumis making up 30 to 40 percent of the students.

There are about 70,000 in Primary schools in Sarawak out of the 222 schools.  In Sarawak there are 14 secondary Independent schools.

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