KUALA LUMPUR – Dong Zong has always emphasised the importance of national unity and the preservation of Bahasa Malaysia (BM), but these should not be used as reasons to withhold recognition for the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), said Datuk Tan Yew Sing, chairman of the education movement.
Speaking during a Scoop Insight podcast episode hosted by Big Boom Media Group Editor-in-Chief Terence Fernandez and Head of Podcasting Shazmin Shamsuddin, Tan stressed that multistream education, including UEC, is a national asset and should be treated fairly alongside the national school system.
“National unity and BM are vital, but these should not become excuses to undermine UEC or prevent its recognition,” he said.
“The issue is about giving every stream a fair chance and ensuring Malaysian students can thrive within the country.”
Tan highlighted ongoing frustrations within the Chinese community and the wider public regarding the lack of clear pathways for UEC graduates to enter local tertiary education or state civil service positions.
“Why should we send our top students to Singapore or abroad when we can nurture them here? Recognition is not just symbolic – it allows these talented Malaysians to contribute to nation-building,” he said.
On engagement with different communities, Tan described Dong Zong’s efforts to build bridges across races.
“We welcome Malays, Indians, or any non-Chinese to work in Dong Zong. It’s important to understand different perspectives and foster cooperation,” he said.
Tan also spoke about the UEC task force, chaired by his committee, which compiled comprehensive academic data on the UEC curriculum.
“The report is ready, but because of multiple changes in government and the pandemic, it was never formally submitted. The key point is that the academic quality is recognised and cannot be questioned,”.
“We live in a borderless world. Our students will succeed globally. Recognition and proper engagement are the keys to retaining talent and strengthening the nation.” – December 28, 2025