PM Anwar confirmed the Cabinet approved public university entry for non-national stream leavers under a subsidised mainstream channel. While tahfiz grads pursue Islamic studies, UEC leavers without a full SPM are limited to 4 approved paths:

📌 UPM: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Chinese Language Studies

📌 UM: Bachelor of Chinese Language and Linguistics

📌 UM: Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies

📌 UPSI: Bachelor of Chinese Education

The Higher Education DG clarified this pathway is highly restructured and not an open-door recognition of the UEC syllabus. The ministry stressed that entry standards for public universities will not be compromised.

Muhyiddin Yassin called the move a political gimmick to pacify DAP, labeling it a terrible Teacher's Day gift. PAS Ulamak warned it violates national policy, while Wan Saiful reminded PN that Azmin Ali once praised UEC.

Dong Zong slammed the policy as half-hearted, claiming the restrictions sideline students. Conversely, academic critics and Umno's Dr Akmal Saleh urged keeping a full SPM as the sole mandatory requirement for entry.

PKR MP Hassan Karim demanded the resignation of Ministers Zambry and Fadhlina for failing to defend national policy. An education expert claimed 15 May marks the official death of the National Education Policy.

Ti Lian Ker stated the UEC approval matches BN's past offers but is now weaponised against PN. PKR leaders reminded critics that UMNO had already agreed to recognise the certificate with similar terms back in 2018.

1. What is the UEC?

The Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) is a standardised test taken by students in Malaysian independent Chinese secondary schools.

2. What are the admission conditions?

Applicants must obtain a credit in Bahasa Melayu and a pass in History in the SPM to ensure baseline national requirements are fully met.

3. When does registration open?

Applications for this direct, university-managed entry pathway for both UEC and tahfiz leavers will officially open on 30 June 2026.

- Generated by AI