Wee: Previous textbook only had introduction of various calligraphy

MCA president Wee Ka Siong (photo, above) today said the khat (Jawi calligraphy) in the Year Five's Bahasa Malaysia textbook during the previous BN government was only the introductions of various forms of calligraphy. 

Wee was reacting to DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, who yesterday highlighted that it was the previous government which started the teaching of khat in school.

He said what Lim did was an attempt to cover up Pakatan Harapan's own blunder on the current khat issue. 

"Yesterday (Lim) Kit Siang showed to the public that we (MCA) started this (teaching khat in school). 

"But this was just the introduction of the various forms of calligraphy, which included Tamil. That's all," he told the media at MCA headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. 

While showing the excerpts of the said textbook's pages, Wee explained that the brief introduction of various calligraphy forms in the textbook was to reflect the multi-cultural aspect of the country and it had never sparked negative reactions from the non-Malay community. 

"You think any Malaysians with the right mind would say no to this? I think they (DAP) are pushing this issue to cover up whatever weaknesses they have," he said. 

On Thursday, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the cabinet decided for khat learning in Year 4 to be made optional. 

"The cabinet decision yesterday (Wednesday) that it is not compulsory but optional and not to be tested in exams would hopefully allow Malaysians to move forward," he had said.  

Previously, the Education Ministry announced that the teaching of khat would be made compulsory for all Year 4 students, with teachers given the responsibility to decide on how to implement it in their respective classrooms and that the lessons would be cut down from six to three pages. 

Wee said that both Education Minister Maszlee Malik and Lim (photo, above) had created confusion among the public with their statements.

"Maszlee said something which is totally different from what Guan Eng said. 

"The latter said the khat lesson is not compulsory but optional but we couldn't find this word ‘optional’ in the Education Minister's statement. 

"So now, they also want to delegate power to teachers and use their own creativity to teach..what does it mean precisely? Does it mean that it's okay for them not to teach?" 

Asked what would MCA do with khat should it come into power again, Wee said: "We know the system, we know how to deal with this issue professionally. We don't promise you the sky." 

However, Wee also stressed that since it's Pakatan Harapan in power now, it's their turn to solve issues and not put the blame on the previous government.  

"Now, I can only ask who's the government? They are the government, so they must think. It's your turn now. Don't blame the previous government," he said.

Meanwhile, when asked to comment on the Lynas issue, Wee said that MCA will wait until the cabinet makes its decision on Aug 15.

"Let's wait. I don't want to say something now only to find out later they changed their mind," he said.

The cabinet is expected to make its full decision on Aug 15 regarding extending Lynas’ permit. 

Previously, the Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof called on all parties not to be emotional on the issue.

"The Pakatan Harapan-led government’s high-level review committee has certified the safety of Lynas operations.

"Even the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency has said so. 

"I think it is important for all parties not to be emotional and to look at the scientific facts," he had said. - Mkini