{
  "id": 7776073,
  "title": "Selangor MCA pushes UEC recognition, merit-based varsity entrance",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/selangor-mca-pushes-uec-recognition-merit-based-varsity-entrance",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T11:22:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/16/selangor-mca-pushes-uec-recognition-merit-based-varsity-entrance"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Selangor MCA, led by Lawrence Low, urged the Malaysian government to fully recognize the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) for university admissions and civil service employment. At their 2026 state convention, the party called for a \"fair, transparent and standardised\" mechanism to grant UEC recognition. In May, the government allowed UEC graduates to enroll in arts-related programs at public universities, but the options are limited. Selangor MCA also proposed reviewing admission processes for STPM, matriculation, foundation, and public university admission systems, emphasizing merit-based selections and equal opportunities for all qualified students. Lawrence Low reported about 630 members attended the convention, which covered politics, party affairs, education, culture, and the economy. The party also sought to review non-Muslim houses of worship guidelines in Selangor following complaints about demolitions and parking issues; a special committee led by Petaling Jaya MCA youth chief Andy Teoh will examine legal aspects and complaints. Additionally, the MCA called on the Selangor government to consult pig farmers and industry operators regarding livestock farming policies, offering compensation and assistance to affected parties. The party advocated for the replacement of the sales and service tax with a goods and services tax, introduction of an e-invoice system, and the formation of a cross-sector special economic committee to address global economic risks and external shocks. Finally, they sought tighter verification and monitoring of foreign nationals and refugees, particularly the Rohingya, and a review of the migrant worker recruitment system.",
  "summary": "The party wants Putrajaya to disclose admission data, quotas and selection criteria for higher education pathways.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Selangor MCA pushes UEC recognition, merit-based varsity entrance",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/selangor-mca-pushes-uec-recognition-merit-based-varsity-entrance-7778813",
        "published": "2026-09-16T11:22:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}