DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has singled out Chinese publication Sin Chew Dailywhich report he said had raised fears among the non-Malay community towards Jawi and its artform khat.
"On my return home after four days overseas, I was faced with the unhappiness of the non-Malay community following Sin Chew Jit Poh’s report that the Standard 4 Bahasa Malaysia textbook in Chinese and Tamil schools would include seni khat.
"Even though seni khat or Jawi is the source of the language of Bahasa Malaysia, the news report has successfully raised fears that the character and identity of the Chinese and Tamil schools will be affected," Lim said in a post on Facebook while attending a pow-wow with DAP elected representatives.
The government's plan to introduce a six-page lesson on khat in the Year 4 Bahasa Malaysia textbook was first reported by Sin Chew Daily.
DAP elected representatives nationwide have been summoned to the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to address the issue as the party faces unhappiness from the non-Malay community.
Senior DAP leaders, including Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching and Deputy Defence Minister Liew Chin Tong, have defended the introduction but grassroots leaders are pushing back.
In the posting tonight, Lim said he will listen to their grouses.
"I am listening to the views of party elected representatives, community activists and I have also met the prime minister and education minister today.
"Will issue a formal statement later," he said.
The lesson on khat in the Year 4 Bahasa Malaysia textbook will include the Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools.
Those opposed to the move have given reasons, ranging from concerns that it would burden students to the worry that it is an Islamisation attempt, due to the perception that Jawi and its calligraphy (khat) is tied to Islamic literature.
However, government leaders including Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had said that khat is not exclusive to Muslims and is considered an art. - Mkini
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