DAP leaders to meet on Monday over khat issue, say party sources

DAP is calling all its MPs, assemblypersons and central executive committee members to explain about the plan by Education Ministry to introduce khat writing in the Bahasa Melayu syllabus in Chinese vernacular schools.

The move comes amidst widespread objection from the party's grassroots over the matter. 

Sources told Malaysiakini that the briefing session would be held at DAP headquarters in Jalan Pudu starting at 8pm on Monday (Aug 5). 

The meeting, according to one of the sources, will be held as an effort to display the right attitude towards the issue and at the same time quell the uneasiness of DAP members. 

Although a notice for the meeting did not specify an agenda, sources, however, believed that the briefing session would discuss the Jawi calligraphy issue, which is a hot topic among the Chinese community in the country.

"Two days ago (Aug 1), DAP MPs received a notice to meet with central leaders, including party veteran Lim Kit Siang and secretary-general Lim Guan Eng. 

"There was no agenda specified, but I believe this has something to do with the Jawi calligraphy issue," said the source. 

Other sources also shared the same sentiment, saying the matter is now a hotly debated issue among the Chinese community. 

Meetings usually issue-based 

A source said DAP members are criticising each other over the matter. Thus, the source added, there is a possibility that its leaders at the central level are trying to cool down matters over the issue. 

"It is usual for the central leaders to invite members to come for a dialogue whenever there is a hot current issue." 

However, another source claimed Monday’s meeting is only a normal gathering and not related to any specific issue. 

"We always meet every two or three months. The last time a similar gathering like this was held was during the fasting month. This is usual," said the source. 

The Sin Chew Daily recently reported that the Jawi calligraphy khat will be introduced in the Bahasa Melayu curriculum for Standard 4 at the Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools.

Following this report, Tras assemblyperson Chow Yu Hui had led a group of DAP leaders to issue a statement objecting to the new policy. 

They claimed the introduction of khat was an attempt to politicise the use of Jawi writing. - Mkini