Statement Made by Dong Zong

October 12, 2019

Budget 2020 Augurs Consistent Stability

Higher Allocations for Chinese Schools Acknowledged

In terms of education, Dong Zong is convinced Budget 2020 sustains the government’s policy stance last year, which emphasises on fiscal stability. Meanwhile, Dong Zong acknowledges higher allocations for Chinese schools in the Federal Budget.

Budget 2020 is consistent with the government’s expenditure pattern in education a year ago, whereby it substantially allocated funds to vernacular schools of other streams while paying attention to the development of vocational education. First of all, the Education Ministry remained the biggest allocation receiver with RM 64.1 billion in Budget 2020, an increase of RM3.9 billion or 6.48% from RM60.2 billion in Budget 2019. This reflects the government’s commitments and emphasis in the provision of quality education to her people. Although the government of the day has always been generous in terms of education, there is always a disproportion between the amount of expenditure and the effectiveness of education based on past experiences. Therefore, as education allocation increases over the years, the most immediate challenges for the government today is to improve the quality of public education in the most effective measure.

Secondly, Dong Zong commends Budget 2020’s higher allocation for independent Chinese secondary schools which is up to RM15 million, from RM12 million previously; concurrently, the allocation to national-typed secondary schools also reached RM20 million high, from RM15 million in Budget 2019. Apart from maintaining the allocation for both national-typed Chinese and Tamil primary schools, the government also allocated an additional RM12 million for utility and sewerage purposes for 2,000 government-aided schools, including Chinese primary schools. In allocations to all vernacular schools, the government’s decision of not neglecting Chinese and Tamil primary schools appears to be more reasonable and fairer than the previous administration. We hope that the government will continue to pay attention to the advancement of Chinese and Tamil primary schools, ensuring funding is allocated based on their actual needs. However, the setback being, Budget 2020 does not include the three private Chinese university colleges in the government’s annual grant allocation. We also call upon the government to contribute towards non-profit educational institutions. For example, providing tax benefits to independent Chinese secondary schools without seeking special exemption from the Finance Minister.

In addition, special needs students also were taken into consideration in Budget 2020, with a RM23 million allocation to mitigate learning barriers by improving national school facilities. We commend the government’s attention on special needs students, and we hope the same treatment is extended to national-typed schools likewise.

Last but not least, we agree with the government’s focus on vocational education, by increasing the allocation from RM 5.7 billion previously to RM5.9 billion. With the development in artificial intelligence, workplace will be disrupted and changes will take place accordingly, the relevancy of vocational education should correspond with technology development. We expect a more comprehensive policy for vocational education from the government.

Joint Statement Made by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

【 October 7, 2019】

 Multi-Ethnic Society Is a Reality

Extreme Rhetoric Undermines Social Harmony

At the recent Malay Dignity Congress (The Kongress Maruah Melayu), attendees passed agendas that were against the principles of a diverse society especially in the areas of education, languages, culture and religions. The congress was also filled with racist speeches, including the call for abolishment of vernacular schools, Jawi script as the official writing script in Malaysia and citizenship could be suspended if the privileges of Malay were challenged, etc. Dong Jiao Zong expresses its regret and condemnation over the actions and speeches made at the Malay Congress that intentionally harm the national harmony of this country. The following statement is issued in response to the Malay Dignity Congress:

Dong Jiao Zong educationist group informed that multi-ethnic society of Malaysia is an outcome of the hard work and mutual respects amongst all Rakyat regardless of their races, which contributed to the country’s success and development today in various aspects. The country’s diversity in races, languages, religions and culture has always been the pride of every Malaysian, who also pays extra effort in maintaining such harmony. Unfortunately, some political leaders and racial extremists have repeatedly put such harmony at risk for their own personal agendas, while certain institutions have also taken advantage and helped to fan up the issue. Their acts are committed with intent to destroy the harmony in the country. These institutions include the University of Malaya (UM), MARA University of Technology Malaysia (UiTM), University Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI), which organised the recent Malay Dignity Congress filled with narrow-minded and extremist views. The purpose of the congress is undoubtedly an attempt to reverse the country’s social harmony developed today, and could have adverse consequences on the country. Dong Jiao Zong believes that the congress is more inclined to provoke suspicious thought and misunderstanding among different races, instead of studying Malay community issues. It has tended to deepen ethnic divisions and confrontation thereby to achieve its political aims.

Dong Jiao Zong opined that the above mentioned four universities should put higher emphasis and effort on academic and research competitiveness, fulfilling their role as national institute of higher education, by preparing the graduates for Industry 4.0, and to ensure that they possess the relevant competitiveness to contribute to the country’s advancement and development. The Chinese educationist groups reiterate that universities should not be used as a political tool in organising congress that fan up racial and religious sentiments, as it would not only promote hatred amongst races, but also risk the country’s foundations and development.

In recent years, the country is not lack of issues in politics, economy, education, religions and other social aspects, certain matters have even gone into further discords without proper resolution until today, especially when it is clouded and threatened by racial extremism sentiment.

What is more dissatisfying being that the government has failed to act promptly in resolving them. Even after the change of government, which advocates equality amongst the people and views religion harmony as its policy stance, Putrajaya did not show the courage and boldness it should possess in defending the country against racial and religion extremism. It indeed dishonours the promise to form a new Malaysia.

Commenting on the fact that the Prime Minister and some cabinet ministers attended the Malay Congress, Dong Jiao Zong believes it would paint a picture of the government in support of fanning up racial sentiment at the congress and it further boosts racial extremism sentiment and causes a severe damage to this multi-ethnic society.

Dong Jiao Zong urges the government to face the reality that Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country, and it should be ruled with moderate policies and the government should ensure that they are beneficial to the people and the country’s development. Dong Jiao Zong also urges the government to cut ties with all the congresses that advocate racial division sentiment and provoke religious hatred and to act decisively to curb the growth of extreme racial rhetoric and behaviours.

Joint Statement made by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

30/9/2019

Dong Jiao Zong Views The UEC Recognition Positively

But Regrets the Supplementary Prerequisites

The Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has officially announced the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) allowing UEC holders to be eligible for admission in the Malaysian University of Sabah and serve in the state civil sector, only with the following supplementary prerequisites, viz., the UEC holder must also have (a) a merit in SPM Bahasa Malaysia subject; (b) a pass in the SPM History subject; and (c) a pass in Malaysia University English Test (MUET).

Dong Jiao Zong hereby responds as follows:

We look positively and cautiously at the Sabah government’s recognition of the UEC, but regret that the authority has added the above prerequisites for the recognition of the UEC.

We are also concerned that some reports mentioned the Penilaian Tingkatan 3 (PT3) is also one of the requirements for the recognition of the UEC.

We reiterate our position to respect the status of Bahasa Malaysia as our national language and official language, and accept that a merit of Bahasa Malaysia in the SPM as a prerequisite for the recognition of the UEC.

We urge the federal government to publish the report submitted by the Unified Examination Certificate Task Force (PPDUEC), and to recognise the UEC formally as soon as possible, as claimed by Pakatan Harapan in its General Election Manifesto.

Joint Statement made by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

29/08/2019

Affirmation of Multi-stream Education System

Call for Fair Treatment of Mother Tongue Education

In response to the announcement made by the Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik stating that the Ministry of Education would look into the proposal of a single-stream education raised by Tariq Ismail, Supreme Director of the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), Dong Jiao Zong herewith expresses its regret and disappointment, and forwards this responsive pronouncement:

1. Dong Jiao Zong expresses disappointment and dissatisfaction in the fact that the Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik did not rectify or reject the proposal of single-stream education, but rather, saying that the proposal would be mooted. This response completely ignores the approved multi-stream education in the national education system since the independence of Malaysia.

2. Dong Jiao Zong emphasises that multi-stream education system is not only a social contract in the making of our country, but also the rights granted by the Federal Constitution to maintain mother tongue education of each ethnic group. Such rights cannot be arbitrarily deprived. As subjects of the country, we have the duty to protect her valuable asset and strengthen her always as this multi-stream education system is in line with the harmony and needs of her diverse societal structure.

3. Dong Jiao Zong severely condemns those politicians and extremists who have repeatedly challenged the constitutional rights of each ethnic group to develop their own mother tongue education by defying the existence of multi-stream school system. This will only cause further suspicion and misunderstanding among the society, resulting in unnecessary tension.

4. Dong Jiao Zong urges the government to deliberate its next cause of actions to stop any rhetoric that undermines multi-stream education system in the country. Instead of holding onto the conservative and narrow-minded idea of single-stream education system, we should embrace and strengthen multi-stream education system, and treat mother tongue education of all ethnic groups fairly. This is to enhance the country’s competitiveness and promote its overall development.

Statement Released by Dong Zong

August 21, 2019

Dong Zong Concerns over Retrenchment in Utusan Melayu

The Freedom of the Press in Media is Mandatory

Dong Zong concerns over the retrenchment of Utusan Melayu and its partner press “Kosmo!” due to financial difficulty which culminated salary in arrears. We urge the late Utusan Melayu Holdings to disclose their financial status of the two papers for public supervision; meanwhile, Dong Zong also beseeches the government to face up to journalists’ right of labour, and to ruminate the way to media environment reform and the freedom of the press.

News media owns the fourth power to supervise the government, and the freedom of the press is the overarching value of a democratic society which cannot be denied. Attributed to historical factors, Utusan Melayu has since been the confined Friday man of political party and is caught in a dire calamity in democratic transformation. As disclosed, its administration does not observe labour and management agreement, and salary in arrears is a commonplace. We decry its inhumane practice towards the interests of its staff. We believe, without labour right, freedom of the press will perish. The protection of labours’ working environment assures the quality of news report. We opine that the Utusan Melayu retrenchment begs for a necessary reform of the entire industry and system. Our inspirations are as follows: (1) political party should not be in any way directly or indirectly run or invest in the media industry; (2) the monopoly of media should be forbidden by law; (3) the revocation of media suppression and its policy should be in place; and (4) cultural policy such as the freedom of speech should be guaranteed as it decides the upward development of media and the freedom of the press.

Utusan Melayu is time-honoured. Prior to Independence, Mr Lim Lian Geok, the late President of Jiao Zong was invited by Utusan Melayu to contribute an article entitled “The Psychological Construction” for the Fast-breaking Festival message. In the article, Mr Lim raised that all ethnic groups in the country should work in unity, keeping “prosperity and coexistence” in mind for the upward mobility of the nation. His idea remains until this day among Chinese the guiding principle in the fight for multi-cultural right.

It is well acknowledged that Utusan Melayu had contributed its part in the advocacy of anti- British colonisation and had scored a prestigious point in the history of the freedom of the press but not afterwards. During the fifties, Utusan Melayu abounded with respectful and seminal writers, journalists and social movement activists like Said Zahari, Usman Awang, A. Samad Said, Samad Ismail and Kamaluddin Muhamad. To our regret, after the fifties when it was “nationalised” by political party, the freedom of the press was muzzled. Utusan Melayu has since become the mouthpiece of the party until today.

We think Utusan Melayu should promptly settle the salaries in arrears and pay for the retrenchment. Active engagement in negotiation to ensure the interests of the labours is a priority. Lastly, we urge political party in general to detach from newspapers operation; all parties and the government as well as politicians should be abstinent and keep their hands out of the media. Simultaneously, the government should take the initiative to prevent media monopoly to safeguard media diversity and pluralism, hopefully to formulate a mechanism which vows to prevent the media from becoming the mouthpiece and dresser of political party.

Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

August 22, 2019

Eight Indian Organisations Signed the Nine Chinese Associations Joint Statement

1. In response to the latest directive released by the cabinet on Jawi scripts learning in vernacular schools, Dong Jiao Zong, together with another nine organisations had come to a consensus altogether on the 20^th of August and herewith make their announcement proper.
2. In the joint statement signed by another eight Tamil organisations additionally, acknowledgement was made upon the amendment reviewed by the cabinet on the above matter timely, but request was forwarded for the Ministry of Education to release its related curriculum, contents of coursebook and execution procedures.
3. The eight newly joined organisations are as follows:
   1. Tamil Foundation Malaysia
   2. Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation Malaysia
   3. Child Information, Learning and Development Centre Malaysia (CHILD)
   4. Malaysian Dravidian Association
   5. Coalition of Malaysian Indian Organisations
   6. Malaysian Association of Indian University Graduates (MAIUG)
   7. Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
   8. Pertubuhan Titian Digital Malaysia
4. Accordingly, seventeen organisations and associations had signed the joint statement. The joint statement is attached herewith:

Joint Statement

August 22, 2019

1. In response to the latest directive on Jawi scripts learning released by the cabinet, we herewith repeat our adamant objection on the implementation of Jawi scripts learning and writing in vernacular schools but not its brief introduction, yet we embrace the proficiency promotion objective of Bahasa Melayu in national-type primary school curriculum. We believe, the government has made the correct move by attending to non-Muslims and made apposite amendment to the measure to avert qualms.
2. We deplore the government’s decision to make the Parent Teacher Association, parents as well as students decision makers on the Jawi scripts learning implementation as it bothers on effective execution and ensues qualms. It is a general fact that many national-type Chinese primary schools in East Malaysia are operating without Parent and Teacher Associations and their Board of Directors generally engaged members from parents, teachers and alumni. As such, we believe the Board of Directors of the schools should be given the mandate to make the final decision on the said matter.
3. The decision of the Ministry to turn the introduction of Seni Khat into a brief introduction of Jawi scripts plays a critical role in relieving qualms among non-Muslims. For practice reference, the Ministry may refer to the model used in the existing Grade Five Bahasa Melayu coursebook, which consists solely the brief introduction of Jawi calligraphy.
4. Due to the fact that many doubts-provoking details are yet to be clarified in the implementation, we therefore beseech the Ministry of Education to promptly release its related curriculum, contents of the coursebook and executive procedures, as well as ensuring the draft has reached a consensus beforehand with stakeholders including Dong Jiao Zong and Tamil educational organisations for the assurance of maintaining the unique characteristics of vernacular schools. It is our belief, if the Ministry engages continuous communications with stakeholders in a rational manner, disputes will be resolved and eventually cross racial harmony and unity to stay.
5. Attributed to the ongoing scenarios, accessible materials will be gathered, later studied with relevant stakeholders and associations abreast, including the Ministry of Education for a holistic grasp of the situation to inform ensuing responses.

Undersigned Organisations and Associations:

• Dong Zong
• Jiao Zong
• The Chinese Assembly Hall
• The United Chinese School Alumni Association of Malaysia
• The Federation of Alumni Associations of Taiwan Universities, Malaysia
• Merdeka University Berhad
• Lim Lian Geok Foundation
• Malaysia Chinese Language Council
• The Association of Graduates from the Universities and Colleges in China, Malaysia
• Tamil Foundation Malaysia
• Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation Malaysia (EWRF)
• Child Information, Learning and Development Centre Malaysia (CHILD)
• Malaysian Dravidian Association
• Coalition of Malaysian Indian Organisations
• Malaysian Association of Indian University Graduates (MAIUG)
• Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
• Pertubuhan Titian Digital Malaysia