The Malaysian Insight

UNDETERRED by repeated cautions from political leaders, Chinese school associations said they will attend the Dong Zong rally on Saturday to take a stand on introducing Jawi to the Bahasa Melayu syllabus.

The groups urged everyone not to politicise the issue, adding the congress is simply intended to voice objection to the policy.

“Critics may not understand the purpose of the event but we will definitely attend this conference,” said Kedah Chinese School Committees’ Association (Dong Lian Hui) chairman Ch’ng Chuwn Leong.

“This conference is to clear doubts that people have on this issue. We are not racist, so what is there for us to be afraid of?” he said.

Ch’ng said the congress is also to address “questionable decisions” by the Education Ministry, which have courted criticism.

He said the purpose of the congress was to oppose Education Ministry’s decision, not the introduction of Jawi.

“The ministry said the parent teacher associations, parents, and children will decide.

“So, if 51% decided to vote in favour, the others will be forced to abide, which will create conflict and disharmony in schools,” he added.

Dong Zong or the United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia had demanded that the decision to teach Jawi in vernacular schools lie with the school boards, not the parent-teacher associations, as decided by the ministry.

At least 50 people are expected to attend the event in New Era College, Kajang on Saturday.

The Federation of Alumni Association of Taiwan Universities Malaysia president Lawrence Ting told The Malaysian Insight the congress has nothing to do with race or religion, more to do with culture.

“I think we should respect each other’s culture. When they held the Malay Dignity Congress we respected it,” he said, while adding the groups were just fighting for their rights.

Ting said he will be present if the event is not cancelled.

Federation of Seven Clan Associations chairman Steve Chong said the congress serves as a platform to discuss the matter peacefully, so it should not be politicised.

Chong said he will attend the event to extend his support.

The United Chinese School Teacher Association of Malaysia (Jiao Zong) chairman Ong Chiow Chuen said the congress will go on as planned and is scheduled to take place between 12pm and 1pm on Saturday.

Commenting on the controversy the event has courted, Ong invited critics to come and see for themselves.

“This is a peaceful assembly. We don’t want this to affect the vernacular schools,” he added.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has also warned Dong Zong that its insistence on holding the rally could lead to other repercussions, such as Malay pressure groups reasserting their calls for vernacular schools to be shut down.

PAS leader Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali At-Takiri recently told Dong Zong not to proceed with its plan to hold the congress.

Khairuddin also called on police to intervene in the group’s plans, to prevent an incident similar to the 2017 Seafield temple riots from breaking out.

PKR President Anwar Ibrahim wants all factions in the Jawi dispute, including Dong Zong, to return to the negotiating table and not proceed with the congress.

In a statement yesterday, the Port Dickson MP cautioned that the controversy surrounding the move could stir political and racial sentiments.

He said all parties planning any event should just call it off and meet to discuss the subject instead. – December 24, 2019.