Former task force chairman Eddin Khoo has defended his earlier comments on former deputy education minister Teo Nie Ching, clarifying that they were not an emotional outburst but a deliberate effort to expose the deep politicisation surrounding the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
Clarifying the criticism
In response to a letter by former MP and Suaram director Kua Kia Soong published in FMT on Thursday, Khoo rejected the suggestion that his remarks amounted to a “tantrum” or “tirade” directed unfairly at Teo.
Kua had argued that Khoo should have focused his criticism on the government for shelving the task force report and withholding its findings, rather than targeting a junior minister.
Khoo countered that his point was specifically about where the politicisation was occurring.
“What really frustrated me was that the deputy minister seemed to have no respect for the committee. A deputy education minister is not merely a ‘junior minister’,” he told FMT.
Khoo, who chaired the task force set up by the Pakatan Harapan government in 2019, had previously stated in a podcast that the UEC issue remains politicised “because of people like Teo”, whom he called “provocateurs”.
He accused her of “stoking flames” by issuing different statements to the Chinese press and Malay media, describing her approach as “exploitative” and “manipulative”, and suggesting she did not seek a genuine resolution.
Teo rejected these claims as baseless, insisting she has consistently advocated for UEC recognition and never adjusted her principles to suit different audiences.
She reiterated that the UEC is “good for Malaysia”, as it strengthens the education ecosystem, supports talent development, and does not undermine national identity.
Khoo maintained that he has evidence, including text messages from 2020, to back his position.
“Of course, she said it was a misunderstanding. Kua may think it is trivial and regard the deputy minister as a small factor, but such tactics prolong things and create a lot of bad faith. Surely, that’s not unimportant,” he said.
Shared goals, differing methods
Khoo noted that he and Kua hold the same position on the need for UEC recognition but differ in their methods.
He recalled that Kua had been invited to join the task force but declined, choosing not to “dignify” it with his participation.
“I don’t disagree with any of the questions he raises. I may not raise them as ferociously as he does… but they have constantly been raised,” Khoo said.
Khoo explained that his goal with the task force went beyond reviewing the UEC; it was to foster a credible, highly interactive committee culture capable of bridging opposing views.
He criticised the prevailing committee approach, which often involves just “three or five people sitting in a room and making decisions”.
“We brought together people and groups who were diametrically opposed to each other. Dong Zong and Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia sat down in one room and had a very open discussion. We brought young people from various groups like the Federation of Peninsular Malay Students to have a discussion with UEC graduates.”
“This is precisely why I conducted the task force’s activities the way I did. At the very least, if we can create a credible and serious committee culture, which we don’t have at the moment, that is enough for me,” he said.
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