KUALA LUMPUR — UEC students are outperforming their peers in national schools in Bahasa Malaysia, said Law and Institutional Reforms Deputy Minister M. Kulasegaran, addressing concerns over the perceived disadvantages of non-Bahasa Malaysia examinations.
Speaking during a Trik Lama podcast episode hosted by Big Boom Media Chief Executive Officer Datuk Zainul Arifin and Group Editor-in-Chief Terence Fernandez, he highlighted that the results demonstrate the success of UEC students in mastering the national language.
“Many of the arguments against UEC are false,” he said. “The results have come out, showing that those who sit for that examination have done better in Bahasa Malaysia than many students in national schools.”
Kulasegaran said the government is also taking steps to improve education in Tamil schools, including providing smart boards and resources through MITRA initiatives, designed to empower students and support learning outcomes.
“We are addressing the gaps,” he said. “Efforts have been made to provide resources to Tamil schools and ensure that students have access to quality education.”
He added that opposition parties often twist the narrative around UEC and other education policies, creating misconceptions about the proficiency and integration of students.
“The facts are clear,” he said. “UEC students are performing well. We must ensure the public understands this and not fall prey to misleading narratives.”
Kulasegaran also stressed the importance of multilingual education, noting that learning additional languages, such as Mandarin, provides significant advantages in academic and professional contexts.
“Learning and adapting to another language and culture does no harm,” he said. “It brings benefits and opportunities, whether in business or in obtaining employment.”
He cited personal examples from his family to illustrate the advantages of multilingual education, emphasising that students who learn multiple languages gain confidence and broader cultural understanding.
For context, the UEC is a standardised examination for Chinese independent high schools in Malaysia, recognised by many private institutions and overseas universities.
However, it is not officially recognised by the Malaysian federal government for entry into public universities or most civil service positions, making it a politically sensitive issue.
Supporters of UEC point to the high academic performance and proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia among its students, while critics argue that the lack of official recognition limits opportunities and undermines national education policy.
Recent discussions among education policymakers and in Parliament have kept the debate alive, with ongoing calls to consider ways to integrate UEC graduates into higher education and professional pathways. – December 23, 2025