Business groups’ support grew Chinese schools, says MCA Youth

 

MCA Youth chief Ling Tian Soon said vernacular schools had to rely on themselves because the education ministry was unable to fund them. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Chinese vernacular schools have made significant improvements through the years, and this is partly thanks to the support of various business groups and companies, says MCA Youth chief Ling Tian Soon.

In a Facebook post, Ling said the nation needed 

more moderate and pragmatic leaders

, and that these vernacular schools had always been intertwined with the Chinese community.

“Chinese schools exist because of the Chinese community, and the Chinese community relies on Chinese schools to preserve its culture and heritage. Chinese education has improved significantly over the years, thanks to everyone’s hard work.

“This included support from various business groups and companies as well as the perseverance of the school boards.

It is unreasonable and illogical to impose restrictions and ‘harsh conditions’ on vernacular schools that have to rely on themselves for so long because the education ministry is unable to fund them and fulfil their needs,

 said the Johor executive councillor.

Ling’s statement follows the brouhaha over an alcohol company holding a fundraiser for a Chinese vernacular school in Sungai Pelek, Selangor.

PAS took issue with deputy housing and local government minister Aiman Athirah Sabu for receiving a RM3 million mock cheque bearing the Tiger Beer logo at a fundraiser for SJK(C) Tche Min in Sungai Pelek.

The education ministry said it was probing the incident and reminded schools to adhere to the existing guidelines, issued in 2018, which prohibit the acceptance of donations generated from activities such as gambling, as well as the sale of tobacco, drugs and alcohol.

DAP secretary-general and transport minister Loke Siew Fook later said the matter should not have become an issue as alcohol companies had been involved in fundraisers for Chinese schools for decades.

Nonetheless, Ling’s Barisan Nasional colleague Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh urged the government to maintain the existing policy and that children should be protected from 

negative elements

 such as alcohol. - FMT