SIBU: Sarawak will lose a lot of human capital if it does not recognise the United Examination Certificate (UEC), says Tan Sri Datuk Abang Johari Tun Openg.

       Speaking at the launching of the World Foochow Shi Yi Park and SJK (C) Dung Sang extension projects on Monday (Dec 13), the caretaker chief minister said the previous state government supported Chinese education with financial assistance to the tune of RM10mil annually, much like the support given to mission schools.

       "The Sarawak government has recognised UEC since the time of the late Pehin Sri Adenan (Tan Sri Adenan Satem, chief minister from 2014-17).

       "UEC holders can apply for jobs in the state civil service with that qualification," he added.

       Abang Johari said this was not the case in other parts of the world, not even in Peninsular Malaysia.

       "The Federal Government has not recognised UEC, not even when the Pakatan Harapan government said it would," he added.

       The Sarawak government also recognised the Chinese community's high priority on education and allowed them to set uptheir own schools and promote Chinese education, he added.

       "Many non-Chinese send their children to Chinese schools as they know the quality of Chinese education is high," he noted.

       The Foochow Shi Yi Park at Jalan Gambir will be built at a cost of RM3.5mil while the Dung Sang School Board is starting the construction of a classroom block and multi-purpose hall at a cost of RM9mil.