Kota Kinabalu: Sabah's recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) should be clearly defined, said Tham Yun Fook (Warisan-Likas).
Tham said while there has been intense debate and disagreement within the unity government in Peninsular Malaysia regarding the issue of recognition, students attending Chinese independent high schools in Sabah have been somewhat fortunate.
He added that the UEC has been recognised twice by the State Government; the first announcement was made by former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal on Sept 29, 2019, and the second by current Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor on Oct 3, 2025.
“I hope that UEC recognition is not just a letter of approval. I would like to know what the main benefits are for UEC certificate holders.
“What plans have been made by the State Government or the newly established State Education Ministry to benefit UEC students?
“Knowing that their welfare has historically received little attention, particularly from the Federal Government, even though their parents are taxpayers and many UEC graduates have contributed to Sabah’s development,” he said while debating the Sabah 2026 Budget.
Tham, a former senior officer of the Sabah Education Department, also said the State Education Ministry should have a broader and clearer role.
He said the Ministry should demand more funding from the Federal Government under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including support for at least two local universities in the East Coast and Interior regions, and attract more prominent universities to open branches in Sabah.
Tham also called for a review of the strategic grade positions of senior officers in the State Education Department in line with Sabah’s status as a territory rather than a state.
“Attention must be paid to the welfare of teachers and students in Chinese independent high schools, private mission schools and state religious schools in Sabah.
“The welfare of teachers and students in these schools has long been neglected by the Education Ministry.”
He added that the Federal Government should also allocate part of the school maintenance and repair funding to the State Government to accelerate the upkeep of underprivileged schools, aiming to achieve the goal of zero neglected schools in Sabah in a short period.
