Chinese education development group Dong Zong has joined in the criticism against academic Teo Kok Seong, urging the authorities to take action over his remark about Chinese schools propagating racism against Malays.
Its president Tan Tai Kim pointed out that this is not the first time Teo has made statements deemed to undermine national unity, disregarding the efforts of other educators.
Tan (above) said many educational organisations have provided more neutral and rational evaluations of Chinese schools.
"The National Professor Council, National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP), and Malaysia Muslim Teachers Association (i-Guru) have expressed fair and rational opinions about Chinese schools.
“These views, compared to Teo's personal opinions, are more representative and reflect the positive sentiments of many Malay parents towards Chinese schools," he told Malaysiakini.
Despite this, Tan urged the authorities to take Teo's remarks seriously and investigate.
"Looking at the education sector, Teo is a maverick scholar. While many educators from various ethnic backgrounds are working towards building a diverse and harmonious Malaysia, he often makes statements that undermine national unity.
"The Madani government should indeed address such remarks and actively investigate to foster healthy freedom of speech.
"We call on all educators from various schools to continue fulfilling their duties and responsibilities, nurturing a harmonious and enlightened next generation," he said.
‘Assimilation better for unity’
In a TikTok video posted by The Merdeka Times recently, the professor claimed that vernacular schools can be a stumbling block to national unity as Chinese students who were less intelligent could only master Mandarin, preventing communication with other races.
Teo, who was born in Kelantan, claimed that even his Peranakan community had faced discrimination from the majority of Chinese who did not assimilate with the local culture.
“The main issue is that non-Malays, particularly the ethnic Chinese, refuse to integrate into the Malay social structure.
“They look down on Malays, that’s the truth,” he said.
His remarks prompted a rebuttal from Seputeh MP Teresa Kok who called for the police to investigate.
During a parliamentary debate, she questioned the police criteria for investigating politicians, by contrasting Teo’s issue with the investigations opened against her fellow party members Lim Kit Siang and Tony Pua.
However, speaking to Malaysiakini later, Teo defended his charge that Chinese schools propagate racism.
He also said Kok was in “denial” over the realities among the Chinese Malaysian community.
“I did not say anything wrong. Everything that I had said is correct. It is the reality of conversations among the Chinese community,” he added.
The debate continued with Teresa calling Teo's insistence on his remark, a "racist hate speech" that could cause division between communities.
The DAP leader said Teo's remarks were a disservice to the principles of unity and inclusivity which should be upheld in the society. - Mkini
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