Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim issued a firm reminder that any policy proposal must remain aligned with the Federal Constitution, as he pushed back against renewed calls for the government to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC). His response came after the DAP leadership signalled intentions to raise the matter with him directly.
Speaking to the media in Langkawi after Friday prayers at the Nur Ahmad Yaacah Mosque, Anwar stressed that proposals perceived as favouring a particular race or language would not receive his support. He noted that the latest push for UEC recognition appears to revolve around a narrow demographic focus, which he argued risks sidelining the position of Malay as the national language.
Anwar reiterated that constitutional safeguards must be upheld regardless of political pressure. He remarked that any attempt to secure broader support, including for his own leadership, could never come at the expense of core constitutional commitments. To him, defending these principles remains non-negotiable and forms the foundation of national unity.
He explained that the difference between legitimate educational demands and those he rejects lies in whether the proposal strengthens or diminishes national cohesion. According to him, calls that emphasise a single racial or linguistic interest fall into the latter category. As such, he made clear his disagreement with any initiative that appears to elevate one group’s interests above the national identity.
The prime minister also reiterated his long-held stance on language policy, insisting that efforts must prioritise strengthening Malay as a language of knowledge. He encouraged Malaysians to master additional languages but said this should not come at the cost of diminishing the national language’s status. Only proposals that defend and reinforce the dignity of Bahasa Malaysia, he said, would be deemed acceptable.
Anwar’s remarks came after DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming publicly stated that his party intends to meet the prime minister to discuss official recognition of the UEC, a long-standing aspiration within the Chinese education movement.
The issue continues to stir debate, particularly within the context of Malaysia’s plural society. While proponents view UEC recognition as an educational reform, critics warn that any move seen as privileging one community over others risks destabilising the delicate societal balance. Anwar’s comments signal that the government, at least for now, is not prepared to shift its position without assurances that constitutional and linguistic fundamentals remain fully protected.
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