Postpone Khat Introduction Say Chinese And Tamil Edu Groups

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Chinese and Tamil education groups have urged Putrajaya to postpone the introduction of khat to vernacular primary schools
The Education Ministry plans to include six pages on Jawi calligraphy writing in next year’s Standard 4 Bahasa Malaysia textbook. Speaking on behalf of the groups today, Dong Zong (United Chinese School Committees' Association) president Tan Tai Kim urged the ministry to better explain the initiative before rolling it out
“We remain cautious and wary of the Education Ministry’s statement (on introducing khat) because there are still many things which need to be clearly explained. “[...] Before the ministry clearly explains these details to the public, we are of the view that the initiative should be postponed pending further discussions,” he read from a joint statement at a press conference at the Dong Jiao Zong building in Kajang.Tan also urged the ministry to reveal the specific khat topics it intended to add to the Bahasa Malaysia textbook so that the public would know what was being changed
“This is important to dispel any concerns and suspicions people may have, and (if) the initiative will fulfil the needs of vernacular school (SJKC and SJKT) students,” he added
Not about patriotism but workloadResponding to criticism towards their stance against khat, Tan clarified that their opposition was based on grounds that it would create additional workload for vernacular school students
“Opposing the introduction of khat into the Bahasa Malaysia syllabus is neither against the law nor does it have anything to do with patriotism or national harmony
“A group of people have been intentionally linking any opposition to khat to questions of patriotism. They have been accusing anyone who is against khat as being disloyal to the country
“This is slanderous and nonsensical,” he said
Tan thus demanded that people stop spreading such “misinformation” as it could potentially lead to racial strife
The groups stressed that they supported the ministry’s efforts to improve Bahasa Malaysia comprehension and cross-cultural exchange among students
“However, this has to be done in a way that suits the needs of each school stream so that the traits and identity of each stream are not negatively affected,” said Tan as he read from the statement
The Dong Zong president said the groups will meet with Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching tomorrow (Aug 6) to express their views
Insufficient time for BMTamil Foundation chairperson CM Thiraviam (below) highlighted how vernacular school students are already struggling to find enough time in their days to study the national language, let alone a new calligraphy style like khat
“Khat is part of our culture and we have no problems with it, but Chinese and Tamil school students already have little time for Bahasa Malaysia
“If we want to add new things to the syllabus, they will have even less time to study the language
“We hope that the ministry will consider our views. If our demands are not met, we will not stop here. We will continue to bring our concerns forward,” he told the same press conference
Earlier today, Dong Zong had lodged a police report and appealed for police protection over the next two days following rumours that groups had planned a demonstration outside its headquarters
The protest did not materialise
Tomorrow, 42 Malay organisations are slated to deliver a memorandum to the Chinese educationist group over the khat issue
Dong Zong secretary-general Ng Chai Heng told the media today that they intend to accept the memorandum. Prior to the press conference today, Dong Zong, Tamil Foundation along with 10 other groups had held a meeting over the contentious khat issue
The groups are Jiao Zong (United Chinese School Teachers' Association); Hua Zong; Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry (ACCCIM); Persekutuan Persatuan-Persatuan Alumni Sekolah China Malaysia; Gabungan Persatuan Alumni Universiti Taiwan; Merdeka University Bhd; LLG Cultural Development Centre; Majlis Bahasa Cina Malaysia; Persatuan Bekas Siswah Universiti dan Kolej di China; and Persatuan Titian Digital Malaysia.  - Mkini

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