NST 13.12.2025 MASTER BM BEFORE UEC RECOGNITION, SAYS PM - Malaysia language policy debate over UEC recognition

Aug 13, 2026

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim states there will be no compromise on mastering and strengthening Bahasa Melayu amid renewed pressure to recognize the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC). Anwar argues Malaysia must prioritize the national language as the language of knowledge while also accepting broader language needs through inclusive discussion and improved proficiency in other languages. Party leaders warn against politicizing UEC and insist certificates align with national aspirations, while calls continue for recognizing UEC as educational inclusivity.

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NST 13.12.2025 MASTER BM BEFORE UEC RECOGNITION, SAYS PM - Malaysia language policy debate over UEC recognition

No compromise on Bahasa Melayu

Inclusive approach to other languages

Warnings against politicisation of UEC

Calls for UEC recognition and conditional alignment

TARIKH:13 DISEMBER 2025(SABTU)BERITA HARIAN UTUSAN M'SIA□ N.STRAITS TIME|THE STAR [ SINAR HARIAN MASTER BM BEFORE UECRECOGNITION,SAYS PM years without adverse impact. Amid renewed pushto recognise UEC,Anwar saysnatiohal languagemust be prioritised prime minister,I must uphold theprinciples of the Constitution.” Umno leaders,including deputypresident Datuk Seri MohamadHasan and vice-president DatukSeri Johari Abdul Ghani,cau-tioned against the politicisation ofthe UEC. Anwar said discussions on lan-guage must be inclusive,priori-tising Bahasa Melayu while alsorecognising the value of otherlanguages. "What is the difference?Thedifference is the claim;the claimwhich is directed towards onerace and one language. Mohamad said the certificateshould not be recognised until italigned with national aspirationsand standards. M HIFZUDDIN IKHSAN AND HAMZAH OSMAN "I disagree with that complete-ly.First,bring the message of up-holding the dignity of the nation-al language. Anwar said the government didnot reject the use of other lan-guages,including efforts to im-prove English,Mandarin,Tamiland Arabic proficiency at the uni-versity level,where English isused for some subjects. LANGKAWI news@nst.com.my N5T RIME Minister Datuk SeriAnwar Ibrahim said therewill be no compromise onthe mastery and impor-tance of Bahasa Melayu,the na-tional language,amid a renewedpush for the recognition of theUnified Examination Certificate(UEC). "Then encompass the need forproficiency in other languages.That,wecan accept,"he said afterperforming Friday prayers atMasjid Nur Al-Hidayah in Kam-pung Kelibang here yesterday. "Let me explain it this way.Thisis Malaysia.You must rememberthat Bahasa Melayu is the officiallanguage.Bahasa Melayu mustbe elevated as the language ofknowledge that is mastered by allMalaysians. Anwar was asked to commenton DAPdeputy chairman Nga KorMing's remarks that he plannedto meet Anwar over the recog-nition ofthe UEC,which the partyhad long pursued. He said the government re-mained committed to upholdingthe principles enshrined in theFederal Constitution on the sta-tus of the Malay language. “If this is clear,I agree if youwant to raise the issue of the needfor increased use of English.ButBahasa Melayu for new technol-ogy fields,for the language ofknowledge,must be strength-ened. People's Progressive Party(MyPPP)Youth chief Sathiah Su-dakaranurged Putrajaya to recog-.nise the UEC as part of educa-tional inclusivity. "The focus should be on ele-vating the.use of Malay as a lan-guage of knowledge mastered byall Malaysians,"he said. “Proficiency in it must be goodamong all citizens,all streams.Ido not care if you are Malay,Chi-nese or Indian;you must masterBahasa Melayu.” He said many UEC graduateshad become professionals,aca-demics and community leaders,adding that Sabah and Sarawakhad recognised the certificate for "I have explained.I do not carewho they are,which party orwhich influence. "If I want to be supported as

FAQs

What position does Anwar Ibrahim take on UEC recognition?

He supports discussions but says there will be no compromise on the mastery and importance of Bahasa Melayu, while emphasizing that recognition debates must stay aligned with national principles.

How does Anwar justify prioritizing Bahasa Melayu alongside other languages?

He says Bahasa Melayu must be elevated as the language of knowledge for all Malaysians, while proficiency in other languages can be addressed in an inclusive way.

Why do some Umno leaders oppose politicising the UEC issue?

They caution that the UEC debate should not be used for political agendas and argue it should not be recognized until it aligns with national aspirations and standards.

What do calls to recognize UEC focus on?

They emphasize educational inclusivity and note that UEC graduates can become professionals, academics, and community leaders, with certain regions recognizing the certificate.

Aug 13, 2026

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