By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 14: Recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) does not undermine the Malay language—instead, it will allow Malaysians to enter the Chinese markets more effectively, learn advanced knowledge, and return with expertise that can strengthen Malaysia’s future.
In a statement, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan said China is poised to surpass the United States in economic strength and technological influence, elevating the Chinese language from a community tongue to one of growing global economic significance.
Therefore, he said, there is no justification for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to reject the recognition of the UEC.
“It is spoken and used extensively in the United States, Europe, Africa, and across the international business world. Many are rushing to China to learn the Chinese language, culture, and history because they clearly understand where global power is heading,” he said.
He added that Malay is the national language and is constitutionally protected, and that anyone claiming otherwise is either ignorant of the Constitution or deliberately lying to incite fear and racial hatred.
“A country that refuses to embrace multilingualism and global competence is a country that chooses decline over development. Rejecting UEC will not protect Malaysia—it will condemn our youth to mediocrity and international irrelevance,” he said.
At the same time, Voon encouraged the government to pursue the study of Indian languages and history.
“India is no longer a developing nation begging for recognition—it is a global giant in technology and medical science,” he said.
According to a report from The Star, on Friday (Dec 12), Anwar said that any calls for recognition of the UEC and other languages must take into account the fact that Malay is the country’s national language.
He said the dignity of the Malay language must be elevated in accordance with its position in the Constitution, and its mastery must be strengthened among the people.
The prime minister elaborated that if the principles and issues have been implemented, then only proposals to strengthen the mastery of other languages and recognition of UEC can be put forward. — DayakDaily
