Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

February 25, 2023

Detailed Appropriation Listing for All Streams of Schools Expected—

Development Support for MISCCs and Privately-run University Colleges

In Budget 2023 submitted by the Prime Minister cum Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim, appropriation is front-listed, showing that the government takes education as priority. Yet in Budget 2023, to our greatest regret, no detailed listing of appropriation for all streams of schools is noted, let alone the mention of national-type high schools, Catholic schools, MICSSs (Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary Schools) and the three private-run university colleges.

In this Budget, the Ministry of Education received the most appropriation (RM55.2 billion) though there is a decrease of RM400 million (RM55.6 billion) compared to the announcement made last October. Still, there is an increase of RM2.6 billion (RM52.6 billion). What needs to be noted here being, the maintenance and promotion fund for all streams of schools in this Budget decreases to RM900 million compared to the previous 1.1 billion proposed by the former government. However, whether electric and water as well as sewage appropriation will be released is yet to be clarified. In this respect, we anticipate the government to refer to Budget 2019 and 2020 in which the appropriation for national primary, vernacular Chinese and Tamil primary, national-type high schools, Catholic schools, full boarding schools, Mara junior science colleges, private religion schools, MICSSs and privately-run university colleges (New Era, Southern and Han Chiang University College of Communication) were listed in detail.

Disappointingly in Budget 2023, neither Chinese nor Tamil primary schools are among the seven new schools to be constructed. We reckon, vernacular Chinese and Tamil primary school are part of the national education system. Thus, be it appropriation, land grant, additional school construction or relocation, the government of the day is obliged to attend to it systematically responsive to demographic and educational needs. Therefore, in Budget 2023, the above-mentioned need to be incorporated so that fund and land needed for school construction will be addressed to ensure earlier completion and use.

We opine, the Unity Government led by the Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should not follow the old way of Barisan Nasional and National Alliance Party. In the face of appropriation towards all streams of schools and privately-run non-profited educational institutions, equal treatment is expected. Further, in the upcoming Budget debate, we wish to see how appropriation will be distributed in transparency, including publicised details on maintenance and promotion appropriation and school construction project, etc.

Statement Released by Dong Zong

November 29, 2022

Rational Dialogue for Educational Issues—Dong Zong Seconds the New Government’s Economic Priority Policy

The new coalition government has set sail soon after the 15^th Election, while the nation is expecting the governance blueprint to be forwarded by our Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. At the backdrop—to our regret—excessive rendering and hype of the UEC issue aiming to stir up social conflict and disputes is still ongoing. Compliantly, Dong Zong observes the decree of the Supreme Head of Malaysia in support of the new government’s economic priority policy to upgrade people’s livelihood and foster social harmony. We understand the apprehension of the Malay community and are willing to initiate dialogue with all social strata concerned with the greatest and most sincere endeavour. Our aim is to enhance understanding and build up mutual trust, besides garnering consensus in bid to mull over the said educational issues rationally and pragmatically.

The joint conference held by Dong Zong recently was one of its annual meetings; it is where the views and opinions on education from its member states are collected, for the purpose of data and evidence-generated proposal to be submitted to the MOE. In this recent conference, eleven proposals were raised: they comprise prosperity-related education system as well as the educational rights of diverse ethnic groups and all social strata, apart from the establishment of educational supervision committee to bridge urban and rural gap and multi-cultural education policy formulation to fairly treat all streams of schools. The proposals mentioned reflect the consistent position of Dong Zong, that is, to always keep a watchful eye on diversity equality to assure mother tongue education right and safeguard multiculture. We strongly believe, the country can develop competitiveness merely when education system deviation redressed and educational opportunity and resource adequately distributed.

The recognition and acceptance of the UEC is an academic and educational issue; as such, we entreat it to be appraised rationally. On this matter, we urge all walks of life not to treat the UEC issue as a political capital by rendering and hyping it excessively with agenda. Dong Zong devotes on producing talents and polymaths for the country hence the UEC issue needs to be assessed from both the academic and professional aspects. The entire curriculum of the Independent Chinese Secondary School, History subject inclusive, is designed and formulated in compliance with the national curriculum; meaning, it adheres strictly to the national curriculum standards issued by the MOE in the formulation process. As it stands, Bahasa Melayu the national language is a required subject which accords with the Constitution, National Principles and the diversity inherence of the country. The core education goal of the MICSS is to mould and nurture its students’ learning and competencies which goes symmetrically with the international education trend. The UEC is an academic evaluation, like STPM examination, International Baccalaureate and ‘A’ Level in essence, only not a political benchmark; politicians should not overinterpret it with ulterior motives. Modestly, we are willing to listen to any comments for improvement on the MICSS curriculum.

Immediately after the 15^th Election, there is an imminent need for trade and profession recovery as our country cannot afford dissipation of sorts. In the face of challenges and difficulties, Dong Zong sides the newly established government’s position—economic priority—for the interests of the public which radically demands good and incorrupt governance to resume judicial independence and repeal draconian laws, let alone addressing people’s livelihood, generating economic development, facilitating rational dialogue, building up unity and solidarity in order to live up to its mandate.

Statement Released by Dong Zong

November 24, 2022

Dong Zong Is Delighted to See Coalition Government Formed—Safeguard of Mother Tongue Education and Diversity Foundation Urged

Our country has recently seen the third peaceful power transition, penning a brand-new page for democratic transformation. Dong Zong is delighted to see the ending of the 15^th Election stalemate and herewith conveys its best wishes to Anwar bin Ibrahim for assuming the 10^th Prime Minister of Malaysia. In the meantime, Dong Zong anticipates the guarantee of sustaining mother tongue education and safeguard of diversity inherence of the nation.

Dong Zong understands, the new government shoulders heavy responsibilities in the face of internal and external crucibles as well as challenges, and is obliged to brave the difficulties. It is to renavigate the country to the right track and uphold cohesion. We therefore wish, the new coalition government would unite concertedly for economic advancement and transformation. Furthermore, while striving for the welfare and interest of the nation, we hope the new government will knock the nation’s socks off and show them the light at the other end of the tunnel.

Simultaneously, we likewise hope that the new government mandated will put their manifesto into practice; which are, namely, to safeguard the development of multi-stream education and defend the right of mother tongue education. We believe, social harmony and long-term stability can only be achieved in Malaysia when diversity inherence discerned and diverse and open governance idea at play.

And this is our earnest expectation for the new national unity government.

Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

November 3, 2022

Dong Jiao Zong Raises Three Educational Reform Proposals—

Policy Debate Is Recommended to Election Candidates

The 15^th General Election candidate registration is right around the corner, aside from publicising their election manifestos, Dong Jiao Zong propounds all political alliances or candidates to immediately take part in policy debate to set forth their ruling views and policy claim publicly; their manifestos are expected to be generated in the light of a multiple, equal and compassionate framework, aiming to equally and reasonably distribute national education resources. Concurrently, all walks of life are encouraged to cast their vote to decide the future of the nation.

Though the first party alternation was realised four years back, unfortunately attributed to unforeseen political upheaval, the government had experienced three rounds of power transition thereafter. As it goes, authoritarianism lingers, democratic transition is thwarted, racism besets and conflicts are yet to be addressed. The fight between unitary and diverse system is an imminent challenge in a multiracial country, let alone at times its political direction is at the mercy of populism. For upward mobility but not degradation for a new political culture reinvention, prerequisites like the termination of populistic manipulation, respect for differences, mutual tolerance and compassion must be in place.

The periodic election in democratic countries is one of social contract relation when candidates forward their political views and honour promises upon mandate. Yet, election is the moment where track record is manifested, vision honoured and it cannot be an abuse of oaths; the candidates thus need to demonstrate their comprehensive vision and be ready for examination and scrutiny. To attain this end, we herewith request all political alliances inclusive of candidates, to partake policy debate in order to elaborate their political narratives for the adherence of rational speculation in general affairs.

In fact, the many educational and rights-related proposals raised by Dong Jiao Zong are yet to be adopted and realised. These proposals were raised and mooted from the educational perspective, and all parties at large are anticipated to take attentive note to honour their manifesto and promises upon mandate:

1. The formulation of a multicultural education policy for mother tongue education assurance

The government is prompted to ruminate “the Education Act 1996” and “Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025” in congruence with the multiplicity inherence of the country; an education policy which respects diversity and tolerates difference coexistence is proposed to replace the operating unitary system which endangers the sustainability of diverse mother tongue education.

We opine, the government needs to annex the “mother tongue article” in the Constitution, to proactively promote and publicise multiculturalism, let alone taking mother tongue education as its prominent cultural heritage; it likewise should not deprive civil rights, besides equal treatment on the preservation and advancement of languages and culture of diverse ethnic groups. In addition, the governing body is looking forward to realistically reflecting and disseminating historical reality, apart from recognising the contributions heralded by different ethnic groups over the decades. These acts will help to ramp up ethnic relation, consolidate social coherence in bid to leverage the advantages of multiplicity and maximise prosperity.

2. The guarantee of equal education rights for overall educational quality promotion

The government needs to asset from education difference and community density, in line with propositional principle and actual needs to systematically distribute national education resource, safeguard campus safety, uphold the quality and quantity of teaching and pedagogical aids, consummate teacher education and postings, to holistically promote education quality while comprehensively upholding national forte.

The government is told to redress the ills plaguing society and suggest possible cures, in order to assure fair educational resources and opportunities for all ethnic groups and students, including the adherence of fund provision to national schools and government-subsidised schools referring merely to their “land entitlement” status; reasonable and equal appropriation for all schools (national primary, vernacular Chinese and Tamil primary, national-type secondary, religion schools, MICSSs, non-profit private higher education institutions inclusive); the systematisation of land provision, appropriation, relocation and construction for all streams of schools; the establishment of scientific and transparent teacher education and posting mechanism to assure the accreditation status of vocational schools and teacher qualification; the appraisal and recognition of the UEC from a professional view point; the resumption of the legal status of national-type secondary schools and the promise for development assistance; the provision of tax preference package to encourage contributions from non-profit private education institutions; and finally, the enhancement of multicultural breadth and depth in secondary civic education curriculum.

3. Education decentralisation to be in place and the eradication of excessive political interference and power abuse

To decentralise education, the government needs to formulate policies, guidelines and monitor educational administration at all levels. For the realisation of localised education reform, the state government needs to own educational and administrative power to be accountable for all educational institutions within the state, districts and communities.

The government needs to set up a legalised national supervisory commission of education and ensure its independency, besides its responsibility towards the parliament and submission of annual report; it is for an effective supervision of the execution power and operation of the MOE, as well as governance efficiency to prevent injustice and inadequacy generated from power abuse and political interference. The general public can always speak out to the commission in case of mismanagement, administrative illegality, injustice, discrimination, power abuse, reply ignorance, information provision refusal and unreasonable delay, etc.

Diversity equality is a global trend, it is likewise an important index of the core value and openness of a democratic country. As the government of Malaysia—a multicultural nation—attention should be geared to its diversity inherence, not to mention taking world trend into consideration by viewing the many languages and cultures of the country as a valued asset. It can be achieved through fair treatment in mother tongue education towards all ethnic groups, the promotion of education reform efficiency, the seeking of competitive advantage, the prevention of political interference in education matters and let education be in its professional course to meet world demands in order to create benefits for the nation.

As a last note, citizens of diverse ethnicity are reminded to show their full support towards any political alliance, party member of parliament or state assemblyman who embraces multiculturalism and equal education for the country. Hopefully, civic rights and responsibility can be observed in the making of a new government—one which brings about democracy, freedom, probity, impartiality, diversity and unity to the nation.