In the Chinese Press: Chinese schools will die out in 14 years - Dong Zong

Chan Wei See, fz.com

Dong Zong sent out a stern warning that Chinese primary schools and Chinese Independent Schools would be eliminated in 14 years if the Education Blueprint 2013-2025 is implemented, Sin Chew Daily reported.

“I can assure you that Chinese primary schools and Independent schools will become history after 14 years should the preliminary report of the Education Blueprint 2013-2025 be passed in the Parliament,” Dong Zong (The United Chinese School Committees' Association) deputy chairman Chow Siew Hon said in a press conference yesterday.

To stress his point, he compared the situation to the Sept 11 disaster. “We all know that the Sept 11 disaster was a tragedy for the United States. Should we not continue to give attention to the issue, I am afraid that a great tragedy similar to the Sept 11 disaster will befall Chinese education.”

Hence, Chow pleaded with the 2,000 Chinese groups nationwide as well as citizens of all races who cherish mother tongue education to support Dong Zong’s protest against the Education Blueprint.

In a statement released yesterday, Dong Zong admonished the Chinese community that the price of compromising or giving in is the transformation of Chinese schools as the ultimate goal or fundamental nature of the blueprint is to implement the policy of assimilation.

Meanwhile, Jiao Zong (United Chinese School Teachers Association) urged the government to make public the revised version of the Education Blueprint to allow the public to have an insight into it, adding that the government should give an assurance that the revised version meets the interests of all races.

Govt urged to take action against MCC

Both Dong Zong and Jiao Zong lashed out at the Malay Consultative Council (MCC) which passed several resolutions in its Premier National Education Congress, urging the government to implement a single education system, making Bahasa Melayu the main medium of instruction in schools and disapproving of the setting up of new Chinese Independent schools, Sin Chew Daily reported.

Jiao Zong was unhappy with MCC’s remarks, and urged the government to take stern action against those who made extremist and racist statements to ensure that national development stays on a sound footing.

“Those statements are not only misleading but also attempting to the stir up racial sentiments. It has undermined the harmonious environment of a peaceful coexistence of all ethnic groups that has been fostered since Merdeka.”

Meanwhile Chow from Dong Zong said in responding to a reporter’s question, “Indeed I’m not familiar with the group (MCC). I think they have forgotten the contributions that the Chinese have made to the country from the beginning. We should be treated fairly.”

He pointed out that national unity will be undermined should the government allow citizens to make such racist remarks.

Undercurrent against Lim Guan Eng in Johor

As DAP is preparing for a re-election, an undercurrent of resentment has been brewing in Johor against its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Oriental Daily News reported.

It is seen as a backlash against the DAP Central Executive Committee’s (CEC) decision to put “parachute candidates” in Johor in the general election instead of accepting the proposed candidates of the grassroots members.

The daily was told that the dissatisfaction against Lim Guan Eng may erupt in DAP CEC election scheduled for next month.

It quoted a grassroots leader as saying, voices of resentment have been heard in Kulai and Muar and that central delegates from southern and northern Johor are preparing to cast an “emotional vote” in the election to bring down the number of votes for Guan Eng.

Meanwhile it was heard that Kulai division liaison committee chairman Ng Pack Seong and ten other central delegates from the division will boycott the election in protest of the DAP CEC’s decision to appoint parachute candidates in the Kulai parliamentary seat and one of its state seats.

Ng confirmed to the daily that he would not vote in the poll as scheduled on Sept 29 and that he would not do rent a bus to bring delegates to the assembly. He also would not prepare for the central delegates to vote in the election as before.

The daily named six DAP parachute candidates in Johor. They were Lim Kit Siang (Gelang Patah), Liew Chin Tong (Kluang), Teo Nie Ching (Kulai), Mahdzir Ibrahim (Tanjung Piai), Ramakrishnan Suppiah (Labis) and Wong Shu Qi (Senai).