Did you know? Sabah has officially announced the recognition of the UEC!
In October this year, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji announced that the state government now officially recognises the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) and has allocated RM5 million to establish a new UEC Scholarship Fund. This fund will provide special educational assistance to students holding UEC qualifications.
He said, “We are not only recognising the UEC — we are taking real action. I just discussed with the (State Finance Minister) that UEC holders will also be eligible to apply for Sabah state government scholarships via Yayasan Sabah College and the Sabah Institute of Technology to further their studies.”
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🏫 Increasing Support for Schools and Non-Muslim Religious Organisations
Hajiji also announced RM70 million in funding for mission schools, Chinese independent schools, temples, and non-Muslim religious organisations.
Since he took office, allocations have increased year by year:
• 2021: RM43 million
• 2022: RM47 million
• 2023: RM54.05 million
• 2024: RM56.75 million
• 2025: RM70 million
He added that next year the amount will be further increased to RM90 million.
“This reflects the government’s commitment to the educational and religious development of all communities in Sabah.”
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🌈 Fair Treatment for All Communities
Hajiji said a responsible government must ensure that every community — regardless of race or religion — is treated fairly and justly.
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🎒 Sabah’s “Dual-Track” Independent Schools: A Unique Strength
He highlighted that Sabah’s Chinese independent schools are unique, operating a “dual-track” system:
• National curriculum (SPM)
• UEC (senior high school level)
This system helps students adapt better to future pathways and builds a strong foundation for their studies and careers.
He added that Sabah’s independent schools also play an important role in national unity, attracting more non-Chinese students each year.
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📚 Trilingual Education: A Key Feature
Sabah’s independent schools emphasise trilingual proficiency:
• Chinese
• English
• Malay
“This approach not only gives Chinese students communication advantages, but also helps all students develop stronger social adaptability.”
This model enhances students’ future prospects and strengthens Sabah’s overall education ecosystem.
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🧑🎓 Hajiji Prioritises Human Capital Development
Under his leadership, Sabah has invested over RM848 million to improve education quality across the state.
Today, more than 300 private higher institutions in Malaysia recognise the UEC, along with over 1,000 universities worldwide, including those in:
Singapore, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, France, Russia, the US, Canada, and more.
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🤝 Sabah Welcomes More Investment from China
Sabah aims to strengthen cooperation with China across various sectors and welcomes more Chinese investors.
“The arrival of investors will drive Sabah’s economic growth and create job opportunities for our people. I hope more Chinese investors come to Sabah — we warmly welcome them.”
He added that Sabah values its long-standing friendship with China and benefits from its multicultural harmony.
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What do you think?
Do you feel Sabah’s recognition of the UEC, creation of a UEC scholarship, and push for trilingual education show that the state is learning from Sarawak’s approach?
