DAP Bercham assemblyperson Ong Boon Piow has apologised after asking for Maszlee Malik's position as education minister to be reviewed.

Ong noted that he had, in a recent Chinese language statement, called on Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to reevaluate Maszlee's position.

"I openly apologise for the statement," he said on his service centre's Facebook page.

Ong had criticised Maszlee after the minister said in a parliamentary written reply that there would be no allocation for independent Chinese high schools.

Maszlee later clarified that these schools cannot receive allocations through the country's operational expenditure, as they are not government schools, but can through special funding provided for in the development expenditure.

Apart from the issue of funding, Maszlee is also under pressure for the government to recognise the United Examination Certificate (UEC) used by independent Chinese high schools.

The recognition of UEC is part of Pakatan Harapan's manifesto.

However, the opposition, particularly Umno and PAS, have pushed back against granting these schools any concessions.