UEC Not Unconstitutional, Sarawak Practice Shows Clear Answer

suppadmin | December 13, 2025

SUPP Kuching Branch Youth Training Secretary Raphael Yong said claims that recognising the Unified Examination Certificate UEC is unconstitutional do not align with Sarawak’s long standing institutional practice.

Responding to remarks by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Yong stressed that Article 152 of the Federal Constitution clearly establishes Malay as the national language and this has never been disputed. He said recognition of the UEC does not undermine the status of Malay, as UEC students are still required to study and pass the language.

He pointed out that Sarawak has recognised the UEC for years within the constitutional framework, allowing it for further studies, public service and professional development, without any constitutional dispute or erosion of the national language.

Yong said Sarawak’s approach shows that upholding Malay while recognising UEC and other languages such as Chinese and English can be implemented together. He added that the real issue at the federal level appears to be political will rather than constitutional limitations.

He said Sarawak’s experience proves that with clear policy direction and institutional capacity, UEC recognition and national language principles can coexist, and urged the issue to move beyond political rhetoric for the sake of students and the nation’s talent development.