All smiles at Jawi congress as organiser engages with protesters

NGO Seni Khat Action Team (Sekat) proceeded with its National Jawi Congress in Petaling Jaya today and even got some protesters to join in.

Sekat secretary Arun Doraisamy fulfilled his promise of inviting the protesters to join in when he escorted several representatives from Malay NGO Gelombang Rakyat Malaysia into the hall, led by its president, actress Ellie Suriati Omar.

Their arrival caused a stir inside the hall as activist Siti Kasim, who was speaking at the time, acknowledged their presence but proceeded with her speech.

Arun seated them at a special table at the side of the hall and also took the time to engage with Ellie, and the actress, who was all smiles, said she would meet him again after the congress.

Earlier Arun had told reporters that he would personally invite any protesters who decided to show up to formally address some 400 guests present.

"If they going to have a protest outside, whoever they are, ... then I will usher them to the hall and give them space to speak," he said when met shortly before the congress was due to start.

"We are ready. I told police the same thing too," he said.

Today's congress is being held a day after the Chinese educationist group Dong Zong complied with a court order, obtained by Kajang police, to call off their congress to discuss objections against government's implementation of Jawi lessons in the Year Four Bahasa Malaysia syllabus.

A coalition of Malay-Muslim NGOs had yesterday warned "liberal groups" against proceeding with their gathering today, after they claimed credit for scuttling Dong Zong's plan by announcing a counter-gathering.

Quizzed on the presence of Rela personnel as additional security outside the hall entrance, Arun said they were deployed at the organiser's request, based on advice from local police.

"After our discussion with IPD PJ, based on their advice...we want to make sure that everything is smooth," he added.

Among guests present include former Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon, NGO Ikram central committee member Zaid Kamarudin, as well as representatives from Sarawak.

Others seen among the seated crowd of some 400 people included representatives from Tamil and Chinese vernacular schools.

The congress which is scheduled to go on for two hours will feature a panel comprising, among others, Siti Kasim and academician Prof Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi. - Mkini