DAP vows to defend vernacular schools in wake of legal suits

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng says the existence of Chinese and Tamil schools has never been questioned since independence.

PETALING JAYA: DAP has vowed to defend the right of vernacular schools to exist after court action was taken to challenge their legality.

In a statement, its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the existence of Chinese and Tamil schools has never been questioned since independence and they have received public funding.

“For the first time in history, a legal suit has been filed naming the education ministry and government of Malaysia as defendants, seeking a declaration that the existence of Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools contravenes Article 152(1) of the Federal Constitution,” he said.

He was referring to the suit initiated by Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) and Majlis Pembangunan Pendidikan Islam Malaysia (MPPIM).

Lim said DAP viewed the suit as a “dangerous development” which jeapordises national unity and harmony.

“DAP will defend vigorously the constitutional right of Chinese and Tamil schools to exist, by bringing up in the final Cabinet meeting tomorrow that the government must instruct the attorney-general to mount a muscular opposition to this legal suit

“At the same time, DAP will also seek to intervene legally in the suit on behalf of vernacular schools.”

He added that the party’s legal bureau chairman, Ramkarpal Singh, will provide legal representation.

Aside from the suit by GPMS and MPPIM, lawyer Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz has also re-flied an application to declare the existence of vernacular schools as unconstitutional. - FMT