Dong Zong seeks meeting with Fadhlina over Bahasa Melayu, History requirements

LocalPolitics
21 Jan 2026 • 4:36 PM MYT
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THE United Chinese School Committees' Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) is seeking a meeting with Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek over the requirement of Bahasa Melayu and History subjects in schools.

Its chairman, Tan Yew Sing said the meeting is to discuss the implementation of the National Education Development Plan 2026-2035, particularly on the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

"I have gone through Deputy (Education) Minister Wong Kah Woh, and Minister Fadhlina is prepared to see us and to discuss the details of implementation.

"We may meet up early next week," Tan said as reported by The New Straits Times.

He also said that the details must be discussed with other members of Dong Zong and Jiao Zong, the United Chinese School Teachers' Association this week before he meets the minister.

He said they are seeking the meeting as the announcement by the prime minister was vague on several matters:

“We need to clarify whether the UEC curriculum needs to be benchmarked against the national syllabus and if students would be required to pass, achieve a certain grade, or just learn the subjects.

“We also want to know if such a system still applies to international school students who have no intention of pursuing local higher education,” he said.

Tan, however, refused to elaborate further on what the meetings with the association would entail and what matters would be brought up to the ministry.

He also commended Anwar for taking away unnecessary controversy about the UEC examination and setting a condition that the subjects Bahasa Melayu and History must be incorporated into the school curriculum. – January 21, 2026