Mca Youth Says Bm Mastery Needed To Defend Chinese Interests

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MCA Youth information chief Neow Choo Seong has called upon the Chinese Malaysian community to master Bahasa Malaysia as a necessity to safeguard their interests.
This was amid backlash against the community over a renewed push to have the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) recognised.
Highlighting the rise of racial polarisation across the country, Neow (above) emphasised how it has become even more important for the Chinese community to master the Malay language, to ensure fairer opportunities for future generations.
“Only with proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia can we participate effectively in national affairs, express our positions clearly, and robustly defend the legitimate rights of the Chinese community,” he said in a press statement, issued in Chinese, today.
Further, he noted how racial tensions in Malaysia have also previously stemmed from language and cultural barriers.
These limitations in communication, he explained, have led to Chinese voices often being misunderstood by other ethnic groups, further undermining the country’s multiculturalism and social harmony.
“Therefore, I urge young leaders to lead by example, not only to master the national language, but also to enhance proficiency in other languages, so that we can present our views with sincerity, reasoning, and facts, and so we can express ourselves rationally and firmly in the pursuit of understanding and respect,” he said.
Tensions run high
Tensions between Malay and Chinese politicians are high after DAP renewed its vow to get the UEC recognised - a pledge that Pakatan Harapan made in its 2018 and 2022 general election manifestos.
This was part of DAP’s pledge to deliver reforms within six months and restore its standing within the Chinese community, following its crushing defeat in the Sabah state polls.
However, the UEC push has since faced resistance from various quarters, including Umno.
On Dec 12, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim responded to the ongoing debate by emphasising that any language demands from a single ethnic group must first respect the constitutional status of Malay as the national language.
The prime minister stated that, after honouring and mastering the Malay language, “we can then discuss other matters.”
Anwar previously said in 2018 that UEC recognition does not undermine the Malay language.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has sought to couch UEC recognition as part of a policy package that is complementary to efforts to uphold the Malay language as well.
Commenting on the UEC debate, Neow said that Chinese ministers who were outspoken in public should not continue to remain silent in the cabinet.
“I sincerely hope all Chinese representatives in the cabinet will make full use of the mandate and authority granted to them by the people, to speak out and truly defend the multicultural spirit and core values that the Chinese community has worked hard to uphold over the years,” he added. - Mkini

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