Anwar, PH’s hands tied over recognising UEC, say analysts

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PETALING JAYA: The government’s decision not to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) should not come as a surprise given that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his coalition, Pakatan Harapan, have their hands tied by the current political situation, analysts said.

Wong Chin Huat of Sunway University pointed out that the government was made up of various coalitions, while James Chin of University of Tasmania’s Asia Institute said Anwar lacked the political capital to pursue policies that would not sit well among the Malay community.

On March 1, education minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry had no plans to recognise the UEC. In a parliamentary reply, she said this stand was based on the National Education Policy, and the Education Act 1996.

Recognising the UEC was among the key pledges in PH’s manifesto for the 15th general election (GE15).

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