DAP vice-chairman Teo Nie Ching has firmly denied accusations that she acted as an agent provocateur on the issue of recognising the Unified Examination Certificate during her time as deputy education minister from 2018 to 2020.
Consistent Stand on UEC Recognition
Teo insisted she has maintained a clear and unchanging position on the UEC regardless of the audience or platform.
The Kulai MP reiterated her long-held view that recognising the UEC is good for Malaysia.
She argued that certification would strengthen the national education ecosystem, nurture talent development and in no way weaken national identity.
Teo described the failure to achieve UEC recognition under the Pakatan Harapan administration as one of her deepest regrets from that period.
Regrets and Open Apology
She acknowledged there were constraints beyond her control at the time.
Still, Teo said she has never shied away from admitting this shortcoming.
In a 2020 online lecture, she publicly apologised to supporters over an earlier promise to recognise the UEC within one year.
“I have never avoided or denied these shortcomings,” she stressed in her statement.
“What I reject are claims that I speak differently to different communities or that I have acted as an agent provocateur on this matter.”
Teo emphasised that she has consistently advocated for UEC recognition without tailoring her stance to suit different groups.
“Any suggestion that I am not interested in finding a solution for UEC is simply baseless,” she added.
Response to Task Force Criticism
Teo, who now serves as deputy communications minister, remains unapologetic about continuing to push for recognition.
Her statement comes in response to remarks by Eddin Khoo, who headed the PH government’s task force on UEC recognition.
In a recent podcast, Khoo expressed disappointment with politicians he described as provocateurs on the issue.
He specifically named Teo, alleging she would make one statement to the Chinese press and a different one to Malay media.
Khoo labelled such actions as exploitative and manipulative, claiming they showed no genuine desire for a real solution.
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