JOHOR. MALAYSIA January 30, 2026 – In a media statement dated 30 January 2026, Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali, Member of the DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) and Vice Chairman of DAP Johor, stressed that DAP’s position on the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) has remained consistent both before and after becoming part of the government.
He explained that the commitment to implement UEC recognition was explicitly included in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) manifesto for the 2018 General Election. When PH formed the federal government for the first time, initial steps—including commitments, stakeholder engagement, and preliminary initiatives—were already underway before progressing to the next phase.
However, all such efforts were halted following the Sheraton Move in 2020, which caused the PH government to survive for only 22 months.
“It is completely unfair to accuse Teo Nie Ching and DAP of exploiting the UEC issue for political gain,” said Sheikh Umar, referring to claims from UMNO Johor that the issue is being played up seasonally or opportunistically.
He added that in both politics and government administration, timing is a critical factor in determining the implementation of public policies.
Under the current Madani Government administration, Sheikh Umar welcomed the recent statements by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the UEC, describing them as sending positive signals. Anwar has recently emphasized the necessity of teaching Bahasa Melayu and History in all educational institutions—including Chinese independent schools that follow the UEC curriculum—as a primary condition in any consideration of recognition.
DAP views the recognition of the UEC through the lens of educational justice and anti-discrimination, particularly for students in Chinese independent schools. It is not an isolated issue, nor is it something that can be ridden for political purposes, as alleged.
Sheikh Umar also called on UMNO Johor to join the Madani Government in continuing these efforts, while acknowledging the various administrative processes and procedures that must be followed.
The UEC issue continues to be a hot topic in Malaysian politics, with the government currently conducting a comprehensive study to ensure that any recognition aligns with public interest, the national education philosophy, and the position of Bahasa Melayu as the national language.
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