The Malaysian Insight

THE Education Ministry’s move to introduce the Jawi module in the Year Four Bahasa Malaysia syllabus for vernacular schools is arguably the most polarising public issue since Pakatan Harapan captured Putrajaya last year.

It sparked opposition from Chinese and Indian education groups, while right-wing Malay organisations mobilised to defend the decision.

Unhappy with the move, education groups Dong Jiao Zong and Gabungan Seni Khat Action Team (Sekat) had said they would hold complementary congresses today and tomorrow to discuss the matter.

However, police, citing rising communal tensions, have obtained a court order to stop the Dong Jiao Zong event.

How it all started

The cabinet in August decided that it will reduce the number of pages on the module from six to three.

Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching had said Chinese and Tamil education groups, following a dialogue, agreed to allow khat calligraphy to be taught to Year Four pupils.

“We have agreed that it is not a problem to introduce khat writing. The intention is to introduce the art of khat calligraphy, and not to learn Jawi,” she said after the meeting at the Education Ministry.

“We also agreed that… students will not be tested. This is the stand of the civil groups, and the ministry agrees.”

The ministry later revised its guidelines further to make the module optional, and for it to be taught only upon getting approval from at least 51% of stakeholders in a school, comprising parent-teacher associations, parents and pupils.

Disappointed that school boards were steamrolled in the decision-making process, Dong Jiao Zong called on all Chinese schools to reject the module.

What prompted congress?

Dong Jiao Zong had announced that its conference would be held today after the Education Ministry pressed on with plans to implement the Jawi module next year.

Some 1,000 people were expected to attend the event, which was scheduled from 1pm to 3pm at New Era College in Kajang. 

On Tuesday, the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall expressed support for Dong Jiao Zong’s decision to hold the conference.

Chairman Ong Seng Khek said the group, however, supports the August 19 cabinet decision to allow each Chinese school to decide on the introduction of the lessons.

“However, we have to oppose the second part of the cabinet decision made on August 19, 2019, which states that the decision in every SJK (C) will be made solely by parent-teacher associations and parents, completely excluding the school committees, which are the guardians and owners of the schools.”

Meanwhile, another pressure group, Sekat, will tomorrow hold a national Jawi congress to complement Dong Jiao Zong’s event and pressure the Education Ministry to return to the negotiating table.

Bulldozing the move through will not provide an acceptable resolution for all Malaysians, secretary Arun Doraisamy told a press conference yesterday, adding that all races should be represented in the negotiations to reach a consensus.

He said the teaching of Jawi to vernacular school pupils is a national issue rather than the racial one it has been made out to be.

The congress will be held at the Crystal Crown hotel in Petaling Jaya.

Politicians, groups speak out against Dong Jiao Zong congress

Among them is Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who warned Dong Jiao Zong that the event could lead to repercussions, such as Malay pressure groups reasserting their calls for vernacular schools to be shut down.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim called on the group and other factions, including Malay organisations, not to hold any event on the issue, whether pro- or anti-Jawi.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said his party is willing to discuss the matter with all factions, including Dong Jiao Zong and MCA, to end the dispute.

Kebajikan Darul Islah Malaysia chief Masridzi Sat on Wednesday lodged a police report against Dong Jiao Zong.

They warned that racial riots could break out if Dong Jiao Zong proceeded with the congress.

Some quarters have also called on the group and others opposed  to the Jawi move to continue discussions.

Why the objection to Jawi?

Dong Jiao Zong, in a 16-page booklet released yesterday, said it is not against BM or Jawi, but rather, it is opposed to Jawi being taught in schools, as this will add to pupils’ burden.

In addition, the group wants school boards’ rights to be protected, and for them to be the decision-maker in the matter. The Education Ministry has empowered parent-teacher associations, parents and pupils to decide on the issue, sidelining the boards.

Dong Jiao Zong is also of the view that if the ministry maintains that the purpose of the move is to help pupils appreciate the art of calligraphy, the art of various ethnic groups should be taught during art lessons.

The group also fears that the decision will lead to Jawi exams in the future, something the ministry has dismissed. – December 28, 2019.