­­­Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

November 23, 2018

ICERD Ratification Refusal Lamented—

Government is Expected to Promote Communications for Social Worries Elimination

Dong Zong and Jiao Zong lamented over the government’s refusal to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). Here is their joint statement responding to the stance.

1. ICERD was approved in 1965 by the United Nation and was formally put into practice the following year. As of January 2018, 179 countries had ratified the convention worldwide. Though it is one of the most ratified human rights conventions, currently 14 countries inclusive of Malaysia still refuse the ratification. The ICERD commits its members to the elimination of racial discrimination and the promotion of understanding among all races. It also requires its parties to outlaw hate speech and criminalise membership in racist organisations, among others.

2. Dong Jiao Zong regrets over the government’s refusal to ratify the ICERD. We believe the government needs to ratify this convention as a gesture to show amenable commitment towards human rights as well as to be part of the practice which is believed to help in the promotion and improvement of human rights understanding in our country. With this knowledge, we urge the new government to ratify the said convention to show its determination and sincerity to make Malaysia a fair, well governed, incorrupt and legal nation.

3. Nonetheless, since there are misunderstandings and disputes on the said convention at a societal level, the government is urged to eliminate them proactively by consolidating communicative exchanges and engaging public views. This way, the government will be able to collect and refer to public views and reach consensus for the prevention of deformation of this well intended act.

4. In the Pakatan Harapan’s Election Manifesto, a Civic Harmony Consultation Council was promised as a platform for the elimination of racial conflicts and policy formation. Dong Jiao Zong beseeches the government to establish this council as soon as possible and forward this ICERD ratification for discussion in the to-be-established council. The significance of the council is twofold, firstly, to cohere common understanding for equality and secondly, to strive together for harmonious advancement.

Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

November 13, 2018

Dong Zong and Jiao Zong regret to be informed by the Minister of Education Dr Maszlee in the cabinet questioning session that if national-type schools are unable to afford their operation, maintenance and infrastructure expenses by themselves per se, they are always entitled to apply to be national schools for full and steady government funding.

1. Over the decades, the government has categorised schools with school lot ownership belonging to the federal government as “Full Subsidy School” and otherwise as “Half Subsidy School”. Indeed, we reckon these two terms were coined by the Education Ministry officials which are unfair towards vernacular schools (Chinese and Tamil), catholic schools, national-type schools and they are essentially browsing the power of relevant school boards slowly.

2. Moreover, either it is in the “Education Act 1957”, “Education Act 1961” or “Education Act 1996”, the terms “Full Subsidy School” and “Half Subsidy School” do not exist. In the “Education Act 1996”, there are three types of schools in Malaysia education system, namely, National School, National-type School and Private School. National-type schools are granted grant-in-aid and capital grant, or otherwise known as administration and development appropriations. Capital Grant is appropriated from Public Fund to the schools which are solely for school building construction, maintenance or expansion of dormitory, furniture and facilities or other specific expenses involved; whereas Grant-in-aid refers to all other appropriations allocated from Public Fund to the schools besides Capital Grant. On that score, the government has the obligation to release both Capital Grant and Grant-in-aid to all national-type schools and should not instead request the schools to show the entitlement of school lot ownership to qualify for the appropriation.

3. “Full Subsidy School” and “Half Subsidy School” are the creations of the former government. Immediately after the election this year, the Pakatan Harapan government was given the mandate to govern and it is the expectation of the general public that the new government should practice disparate governance to bring forward a brighter future and reform improper policies and measures for fair treatment towards all vernacular schools. We wish that the government would ensure fair treatment for national or national-type schools and be obliged for equal administration and development appropriation and not to take advantage of appropriation to turn national-type schools with financial difficulties into national schools. We deem it only fair for the government to view all streams of schools equally and develop, affirm and commend them for their bid in education and the production of polymaths for the country disregard whether their school lots belong to the federal government, state government, school boards, catholic church or private sector as they are all institutions for education within the national education system.

4. According to the “Education Act 1996”, all vernacular schools (Malay, Chinese and Tamil), catholic schools, transformed schools, etc. must have their own school boards. The Act also regulates that the government bears the obligation to afford their administration and development expenses. As such, we expect the new government on the horizon to earnestly shoulder the responsibility by fairly appropriate and develop these schools and not to practice the “Full Subsidy School” and “Half Subsidy School” measures implemented by the former government which in essence aims to turn national-type schools into national schools.

5. We herewith caution all Chinese vernacular schools and reformed schools not to apply to be “national schools” to avoid their school boards from being browsed gradually and their unique characteristics distorted or worse still, disappeared

Statement and Declaration Released by Dong Zong

November 4, 2018

Appropriation for MICSS in Budget 2019 Commended—

Fair Treatment for All Vernacular Schools Urged

1. In the Budget 2019, 60.2 billion was appropriated to the MOE which is 19.1 percent out of the total appropriation sum and thus it is actually the most allocated ministry. It verily translates the new government’s realisation of the crucial role education plays in the promotion of commercial competitiveness and citizen quality. We welcome and commend this constructive act knowing deep down the appropriation on education reform as an investment will only be fruitful as ascribed when the execution power of the government is resolute.

2. In matters of appropriation, we are overjoyed and exalted by the first ever Budget appropriation of 12 million to all independent Chinese secondary schools nationwide. Notwithstanding the sum of 12 million, comparatively it is a meagre sum in the face of annual deficit shouldered by all independent Chinese secondary schools nationally. Yet this compassionate act is heartily appreciated while the country is experiencing financial difficulty. But we wish that this move would be the first step of systemised appropriation, a good start, which would augur well in years to come for all independent Chinese secondary schools when the government’s financial situation finally rebounds.

3. The appropriation pronouncement indicates that the new government is willing to provide all vernacular schools with fairer treatment. We hope this attitude will be engaged by the Pakatan Harapan government while addressing problems faced by all streams and vernacular schools and systemise the appropriation at a much fairer level. We also hope that the government will schedule a meeting with us Dong Zong to deliberate the next course of actions and formulate appropriation criteria.

4. Past experience informs us that the appropriation provided by the government towards national-type schools is inconsistent; at times, several rounds of negotiations or charettes had to be staged by the Chinese community for the release of the appropriation accordingly. As a matter of fact, the 15 billion Budget appropriation towards independent Chinese secondary schools is wished to be a yearly systemised allocation for national-type secondary schools.

5. Further, it is also noted that the new government will specifically appropriate 3 billion for vocational education fund and another 2 billion for youth vocational training fund. Inspired by the ongoing, we would remind the Chinese community to keep an eye on its follow-ups and show solicitude for its relevant development closely.

6. In matters of budget appropriation, we believe there is still room for improvement in terms of education appropriation; for instance, in the Budget, 21 billion will be appropriated to Bumiputera education and human resource, though justifiable from the aspect of vulnerable Malay groups, there is no relative appropriation for other ethnic groups and thus unfair in resource distribution. In addition, the donations towards national institutions are exempt from taxation whereas donations funding privately run institutions such as independent Chinese secondary schools are otherwise requested to apply individually for exemption.

Statement and Declaration Released by Dong Zong

October 17, 2018

Dong Zong Is Against Full and Half Subsidy Provisions—

Prompt Response to SJK (C) Chung Ching’s Branch Application Urged

The Deputy Minister of Education Teo Nie Ching announced in the cabinet meeting that the branch Kuantan National-type Chung Ching Chinese Primary School must firstly apply to be a Full Subsidy School before the MOE can settle its branch and main school’s administrative matter concurrently. In response to this, Dong Zong herewith forwards its statement and declaration as follows:

1. The branch Kuantan National-type Chung Ching Chinese Primary School was established in 1999 before the election after having been approved by the former government. Going through much obstacles, it was formally opened in 2013. Since there is a distance between the main and branch Kuantan National-type Chung Ching Chinese Primary School, the sole headmaster from the main school found it exhausting attending to the administration of the two schools. On that score, the Chung Ching Primary School Board wished its branch school could be approved as Chung Ching 2^nd Primary School such that it could operate within individual administration, that is, owning its headmaster, teachers and staff.

2. According to “Education Act 1996”, there are three types of schools in Malaysia education system, namely, National School, National-type School and Private School. The categorisation of these three types of schools has nothing to do with its entitlement of school lot ownership. By and large, we understand that “National School” is not “Full Subsidy School” and “National-type School” is not “Half Subsidy School” either.

3. The intent of the Chung Ching Primary School Board of Directors to term its branch school as Chung Ching 2^nd Primary School does not in any way correlate with the so-called school lot ownership or “Full Subsidy/Half Subsidy”. We hence conclude, to categorise schools as Full Subsidy or Half Subsidy based on the entitlement of school lot ownership is verily the self-customised measure of violation accorded by the MOE officials. As such, the Deputy Minister of Education Teo Nie Ching should not take advantage of the “Napoleon’s” measure to make things difficult for the said school to apply for the status of its branch. History shows that there were schools with branch and were eventually approved to have the schools divided into main and branch. We beseech the Deputy Minister of Education Teo Nie Ching to look into the case closely such that the mentioned branch school can be approved as Chung Ching 2^nd Primary School shortly.

Statement Released by Dong Zong

September 22, 2018

Tax Exemption for “MICSS Education Blueprint” Fundraising Commended—

Enaction of Tax Exemption for Donors and Beneficiaries Urged

Dong Zong acknowledges the positive response from the Ministry of Finance to exempt an estimated tax of RM853,000.00 on Dong Zong after two tax exemption applications on the fund it raised for the “MICSS Education Blueprint” in 2017. Here being Dong Zong’s statement proper:

1. For the sake of effective execution of MICSS education reform and the continuity of Chinese education in Malaysia, Dong Zong established an ad hoc committee for the “MICSS Education Blueprint” in 2016. It is intended for the comprehensive review of its “MICSS Education Reform Guidelines” launched in 2005. Experts, scholars and Chinese education stakeholders were then ensembled to embark on a rigid survey on the current situation of independent Chinese secondary schools at national level. Later, school boards, principals, teachers, students, parents, alumni and stakeholders were requested to contribute views and comments for the “MICSS Education Blueprint” drafting, with the objective of outlining its next ten years’ direction and vision. After much concerted efforts and hard work, the “MICSS Education Blueprint” was completed and formally launched on 12 August this year as ascribed. Meanwhile, for the settlement of expenses, assurance as well as the practice of its implementation, a fundraising event was staged for the target sum of RM5 million in 2017. The good news is, as of September 30 this year, the target sum was raised successfully.

Unfortunately, an estimated tax of RM853,000.00 was incurred from the raised RM5 million. Dong Zong raised the fund for educational purpose as well as operating expenses as a non-profit academic institution, the surplus of its operating expenses and fund raised should be exempt from taxation such that more private organisations will be willing to partake and contribute in national education. In this train of thought, through much effort and interactions, Dong Zong applied for tax exemption twice in letter (March 23 and June 8 respectively) for the estimated tax of RM853,000.00 from the Ministry of Finance. Finally, on 12 September, Dong Zong received an exemption reply dated August 24 from the Ministry of Finance. To this open and compassionate response from the Ministry of Finance, we express herewith our heartfelt acknowledgement. We believe, the willing dedications of private sectors on education industry owed much to the positive encouragement and understanding of the elected Pakatan Harapan government.

2. Other than the above, in the 91^st joint meeting held between Dong Zong and its state members on 25 August this year, the proposal “urging the government to exempt the surplus of non-profit academic institution operation expenses and fund raised from taxation such that more private organisations or institutions will willingly partake and contribute in national education” was approved.

As it is known, private sectors and non-profit organisations of various sorts have since been voluntarily providing financial contribution and substantial efforts in the nurture of polymaths and professionals in nation building. Their voluntary engagement in education is in essence unconditional; the government in turn should allocate appropriation responsively to render encouragement and support for better outcome and more contributions alike.

We wish, as a last note, the government would exempt taxation of the surplus of non-profit academic institution operation expenses and fund raised on one hand, and regulate a policy which automatically exempts donors and beneficiaries from taxation for education related matters as a proactive encouragement.

Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

September 21, 2018

Of late, the MOE Examination Division pronounced if any one candidate requests during a public examination in a vernacular school, invigilator who knows the candidate’s mother tongue but not the chief invigilator is allowed to explain the examination instructions further; moreover, all state Education Bureaus are also directed to assure invigilators of this sort be assigned to both Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools. Dong Zong and Jiao Zong take this directive uncompromising and urge for further explanation as it justifies the government’s intent to appoint non-Chinese-speaking chief invigilators to Chinese vernacular schools during examination with only one (or at least one) Chinese-versed invigilator accompanies. Dong Zong and Jiao Zong are deeply concerned about this with angst thus calling the Chinese community to respond, believing that it will eventually browse the unique characteristics of Chinese primary schools.

1. Dong Zong and Jiao Zong posit, based on the inherence that mother tongue is the medium of instruction for all vernacular schools, chief invigilators posted to vernacular schools should be able to speak in that particular tongue; take for instance, the medium of instruction in Chinese vernacular schools is Chinese, thus the chief invigilator as the accountable figure in the examination should by right be able to speak in Chinese for better handling of various matters, including explaining examination instructions to the candidates. This is believed to be the correct and necessary way. In fact, chief invigilator using Chinese for explanation in examination accords the characteristics of Chinese vernacular schools and also is the persistent request of Dong Zong and Jiao Zong over the years.

2. All this while, the MOE appointed chief invigilators in a compromising way, viz., sending Chinese speaking chief invigilators to Chinese primary schools during public examinations. But unfortunately, due to the mishandling of certain officials of the MOE, the mentioned incident happened sporadically. With the strident opposition raised by Chinese community, some incidents were resolved while others are still pending for solution. Frankly, the unsolved cases make things inconvenient for the schools involved, so to speak. The appointment this year worsened the dispute and aroused angst among the Chinese community. Eventually, the Deputy Minister of Education Teo Nie Ching was appealed to address the problem.

3. To our regret, notwithstanding the ongoing disputes and worries, the MOE Examination Division directed that “if any one candidate requests during an examination taking place in a vernacular school, invigilator who knows the candidate’s mother tongue but not the chief invigilator is allowed to explain the examination instructions further”. As the directive did not request the chief invigilator to be Chinese-speaking, but only that at least one invigilator who knows the candidate’s mother tongue be present, the intention of deliberate justification of the ongoing practice in certain states—sending non-Chinese-speaking chief invigilators to Chinese primary schools in public examinations which is deemed inappropriate—is evident. Dong Zong and Jiao Zong found it worrying and uncompromising. The act, if not curbed, is worried to gradually browse Chinese vernacular schools’ unique characteristic of using Chinese as their medium of instruction.

4. Further, “if any one candidate requests during an examination taking place in a vernacular school, invigilator who knows the candidate’s mother tongue but not the chief invigilator is allowed to explain the examination instructions further” as pronounced is reckoned unreasonable. In Chinese primary school public examination, the chief invigilators are expected to explain the instructions in Chinese to the Chinese candidates directly and not when they are requested. We believe this improper practice needs to be rectified as it not only is detrimental to the candidates but also incurs negative impact seminally. Nonetheless, in the said examinations, let alone the chief invigilators being Chinese-speaking, sufficient Chinese-speaking invigilators need to be sent to such schools to facilitate and assure the smooth running of the examinations.

5. Dong Zong and Jiao Zong insist, Chinese-speaking invigilators to be sent to Chinese primary schools for assured handling of all matters during the examinations and it is persisted by Chinese community and believed to be the right and reasonable approach unanimously. The strident opposition against the said measure from the Chinese community shows both inherent and deep concern to safeguard the continuity of Chinese education in this country. The Deputy Minister of Education Teo Nie Ching thus should not take it as an overreaction of the Chinese community, instead, she needs to listen to the voices attentively and address the worries appropriately, including withdrawing the relevant pronouncement and regulate it on paper that “chief-invigilators appointed should be Chinese-speaking” for the non-deterioration assurance of Chinese vernacular schools.

6. On that score, Dong Zong and Jiao Zong urge the Deputy Minister of Education Teo Nie Ching to schedule a meet-up for the exchanges of pent up Chinese issues, including the UPSR (Primary School Achievement Test) chief invigilator appointment for a long-term solution.