UEC: Dong Zong won’t beg, quotes I Ching

The United Chinese School Committees Association (Dong Zong) will not beg the government for recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

“We also realise the reality that some politicians are using the UEC issue to manipulate racial relations, and we hope that the prime minister has the political wisdom and courage to cut through thorns and thickets,” Dong Zong president Tan Yew Sing said at a joint press conference yesterday with Hua Zong.

“While the sooner the UEC is recognised, the better, the UEC was never meant to exist for the purpose of government recognition, and it would certainly not sacrifice its characteristics and features in order to gain government recognition,” he said.

Quoting the classic Chinese text “I Ching” (Book of Changes), he said: “The most crucial belief for the entire (Malaysian) Chinese education system has always been: ‘As Heaven maintains its vigour through the movements of the cosmos, so should the noble person strive for self-improvement’.

“Governments may come and go, we do not beg for pity, we do not beg, and we will certainly not become complacent; we will only strive to be stronger.

“If we keep moving forward, while others remain stationary, then we can look back at the path we have travelled, continue to better ourselves, and proceed confidently with a smile,” he added.

Yesterday Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised on the need for all to master the Malay language.