The summary findings by the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) task force, which was supposed to be submitted to the government today, has been postponed.

The report is intended to help the government decide on the recognition of the qualification used by Chinese independent schools.

An aide to Education Minister Maszlee Malik (photo) confirmed the postponement after a planned meeting between the task force and the minister did not take place.

"It's postponed as (Dong Zong deputy chairperson) Tan Yew Sin was unavailable so there was not enough quorum," he told Malaysiakini.

However, a Sin Chew Daily report quoted Maszlee, who was at the screening of the Tamil film "Raatchasi" in Klang Valley today, as saying that he was on medical leave.

"I'm on sick leave today but it so happens that the screening is today so I was brought here by my officers. There are many teachers attending the screening today," he was quoted as saying.

Maszlee as previously praised the Tamil film which focuses on education, stating that it reflected his aspirations for the country's education system.

Tan, when contacted about his absence, declined to comment but asked the media to refer to the Sin Chew report on Maszlee's comment.

The task force comprises three members and is led by writer Eddin Khoo. The third member is Angkatan Belia Islam president Mohamad Raimi Ab Rahim.

Khoo, when contacted about the postponement, declined to comment and referred the matter to the Education Ministry.