It's off! Cops obtain court order to stop Dong Zong meet

The police have obtained a court order to prevent Dong Zong from holding a meeting tomorrow on the teaching of Jawi script in vernacular schools.

According to a document sighted by Malaysiakini, Kajang magistrate Syahrul Sazly Mohd Sain granted the restriction order in view that there would be a breach of the peace if the meeting was allowed to proceed.

"The court finds that a restriction order was needed and was issued ex-parte immediately in view that the meeting will be held tomorrow and based on the latest information by the applicants (the police) which found that there would be riots if the meeting was allowed to take place.

"In view of this, your presence at Dewan Kolej Universiti New Era Kajang tomorrow is forbidden and you have been warned not to gather or take part in any part of the meeting," read the document.

According to the organiser of the meeting, Low Chee Cheong, the notice was served on Dong Zong by the police at 5.10pm.

He said following this, Dong Zong will call off the meeting and the Chinese educationist group will issue a statement later today with further details.

"We respect the court order, our meeting tomorrow will be cancelled," he said.

In a statement, Kajang district police chief Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof urged the public to cancel any rallies that were organised in protest against the Dong Zong event.

He said the Kajang district police had obtained the court order to prevent a breach of public order. Dzaffir did not provide details.

He added that five roads will remain closed between 11am to 5pm tomorrow from Kuala Lumpur heading to Seremban via Jalan Bukit; the traffic light intersection at Jalan Changkat and Jalan Bukit, the traffic light intersection at Jalan Bukit Indah and Jalan Bukit; the intersection between Jalan Jati and Jalan Bukit; as well as the intersection between the Silk Highway and Jalan Bukit.

"Roads will be closed to ensure compliance with the court order," Ahmad Dzaffir told Malaysiakini. 

Dong Zong had planned to hold a meeting involving 1,000 representatives of Chinese associations and other interested parties tomorrow between 1pm and 3pm.

The meeting was a response to the government's decision to prevent vernacular schools' boards of directors from intervening in plans to implement Jawi lessons in schools.

Dong Zong had taken the stance that this violated the Education Act 1996 which empowers the boards of directors to make decisions for vernacular schools.

Dong Zong is the umbrella body for boards of directors of national-type Chinese schools in the country.

Several groups had accused Dong Zong of "treachery" for objecting to the government's plan to introduce Jawi in schools and planned protests against their meeting within the vicinity of the venue.

One group, the Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia (Gamis), said Dong Zong's meeting might result in a repeat of the May 13 race riots. - Mkini