Move to recognise UEC will win back Chinese votes, says BN rep

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem's decision to recognise the Chinese schools' Unified Examinations Certificate (UEC) may only benefit 2% of the state's 2.7 million people, but its political mileage is by no means insignificant, says a state Barisan Nasional leader. Sarawak United People Party (SUPP) Kuching branch chief Sim Kiang Chiok (pic) said the Chinese could start voting for BN in the next state elections because "the Chinese feel vindicated and appreciated from it (recognition of the UEC)". "It gave them a sense of belonging and acceptance. A good majority of the Chinese in Sarawak have primary Chinese education and see Chinese education as extremely important. "Their language is representative of their culture, their pride and honour," Sim told The Malaysian Insider. Sim said although only 2% of the state's 2.7 million people would actually benefit from the decision, "as a political mileage, (it) is as big as anything can be". Sim contested in the 2011 elections in the seat of Padungan. He lost in the three-way fight that saw the incumbent, former PKR state chief Dominique Ng Kim Ho poll a mere 439 votes. Ng then stood as an independent candidate having quit PKR in bitterness after the party swapped the seat with DAP for Batu Lintang, another Chinese-majority seat. Sim polled 4,073 votes compared with DAP's Wing King Wei's 11,957 votes. He said prior to the recognition of the UEC, it was an issue that was successfully played up by the opposition time and again as demonstration of unfairness by the BN. He said the Sarawak government has created "a huge influence on how the Chinese will vote" by recognising the UEC. "Of course, there are other issues of concern to the Chinese community, such as the economy, or positive discrimination policies. "Some are asking if Adenan is hoping to increase his popularity rating among the Chinese with this move." Sim said he agreed with his president, Datuk Prof Sim Kui Hian, that rating was not Adenan's foremost concern. "He is just doing what he thinks is right for Chinese education which has played a significant role in the socioeconomic progress of Sarawak. "To me, Adenan will do it if it's within his power to do so. And recognising UEC is within his power." Adenan, in recognising the UEC late last year, also hit out at Putrajaya's refusal to recognise the certificate, describing it as "stupid" and "senseless" despite the recognition of the UEC by numerous countries. A number of international universities, including the prestigious Oxford University in the United Kingdom, recognise the qualification.  The UEC is a standardised examination taken by students in all 60 Chinese independent secondary schools nationwide. – February 14, 2016.]]>