KUCHING: Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg has never stated that getting credit in Bahasa Melayu (BM) at the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) level is unnecessary for university admission in Sarawak.

Sarawak Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn clarified that the statement had been misinterpreted.

According to him, the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) can also be considered as qualifications for university admission in the state.

"The importance of Bahasa Melayu cannot be denied. Therefore, for students of the Yayasan Sarawak International School (YSIS), they are still required to sit and obtain credits in BM at the SPM level," said Dato Sri Roland Sagah in a statement on Tuesday.

The statement was made in response to a statement by language expert, Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr. Nik Safiah Abdul Karim who had previously criticised Sarawak's proposal to allow candidates to enter universities in the state for free starting in 2026 without the need for a credit in BM at the SPM level.

The Sarawak Government stressed that the proposal did not mean to ignore the importance of Bahasa Melayu but aimed to provide an alternative route for students through the recognition of UEC qualifications.

Dato Sri Roland Sagah stressed that this policy is in line with the Sarawak Government's efforts to ensure more inclusive education without compromising national values, especially the mastery of Bahasa Melayu as the official language. -UKASnews