Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

May 6, 2022

Dong Zong and Jiao Dong are deeply disappointed over the recent questionnaire sent by the MOE to vernacular Chinese primary school students’ parents nationwide seeking once again their decision on the Jawi script introduction in Grade Four Bahasa Melayu coursebook, thus forwarding this statement in response.

1. As understood by Dong Jiao Zong, the questionnaire survey administered by the MOE over the past two years had concluded, most vernacular Chinese primary school parents disagree with the introductory approach of Jawi script in Grade Four Bahasa Melayu coursebook. As such, the Chinese community had for several times told the MOE not to conduct similar survey continuously as it is not only meaningless, but also a waste of resource. Simply put, Dong Jiao Zong greatly regrets the reduplication of questionnaire survey as it indicates voices from the general public are not heeded. Herewith Dong Jiao Zong urges the MOE to withdraw the questionnaire survey for the year to avoid unnecessary disputes.

2. Ever since the implementation of Jawi script teaching in vernacular primary schools Grade Four Bahasa Melayu coursebook, Dong Zong and Jiao Zong, together with many other local Chinese communities and Indian associations, have repeatedly forwarded constructive proposals and views recommending the adaptation of multimethod approach in bid to accord the multiracial inherence of the country, only not the mere introduction of Jawi scripts, to begin with. Unfortunately, the MOE overlooks and ignores the views of the Chinese and Indian communities and associations; instead, it continuously imposes this inappropriate measure which in actual fact generates resentment.

3. The MOE had claimed that once the curriculum for Jawi script learning in Grade Four Bahasa Melayu coursebook was completed, a thorough review of the contents and model would be in place. Therefore, we believe it is high time now the MOE reviewed this inappropriate measure and adapted the proposals raised; that is, to introduce the calligraphy of all ethnic groups with a multimethod approach in Grade Four Bahasa Melayu coursebook to help students understand and learn the cultural uniqueness of all ethnic groups as it attunes with the multiracial, multilingual, multicultural and multireligious inherence of the country. Simultaneously, Dong Jiao Zong also prompts the MOE to set up a committee comprising representatives from all ethnic groups, including the engagement and appointment of Chinese and Tamil educational associations in discussions, for a conclusive solution to this contentious implementation.

Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

February 12, 2022

Relative to the directive sent to some vernacular Chinese primary schools in Kuala Lumpur notifying merely MySTEP system can be used for temporary and relief teacher application and not via parent teacher association as reported by the media, Dong Zong and Jiao Zong are highly concern thus participating in the online interaction convened by the Deputy Education Minister Dato Mah Hang Soon. In the video conference, Dong Jiao Zong explicitly requested the Ministry of Education to review the decision for a more flexible solution on teacher shortage.

1. Teacher shortage in vernacular Chinese primary schools has been a besetting issue for decades which unfortunately has seriously impacted normal school operation and teaching activities, not to mention the approvals of bulk posting transfer to other states last year end which further deteriorates the problem. The Ministry of Education is expected to reassess the existing mechanism collectively in bid to facilitate intensively for a complete fill up of the said shortage.

2. Though the MOE had organised a conclusive recruitment project for 18,702 teachers last July—showing its determination and sincerity to resolve the problem—yet as revealed, certain subject applicants were wanting much to the disappointment of the schools in filling the vacancies in time. Therefore, the schools had to recruit teachers via the school board or parent teacher association with their own expense attributed to uncertainty. Advance planning is indeed needed in preventing further normal school operation interruption as well as compromising students’ learning rights.

3. Dong Jiao Zong realises that the individual recruitment of teachers undertaken by the schools in response to national education inadequacy is a charity work and proven solution. Now that the MOE demands all schools to apply for temporary teachers via MySTEP for quality assurance; yet according to feedbacks from experienced school principals, the cumbersome application procedure and delay approvals of MyStep had ended up teaching planning interruption. Thus, the MOE is told to reassess and review the measure by simplifying the system and application procedure in order not to compromise teaching progress.

4. As informed by the Deputy Education Minister Dato Mah Hang Soon in the virtual meeting, all vernacular Chinese primary schools nationwide could recruit temporary teachers individually as need be, only they must apply from the MOE in advance. Apropos of this matter, Dong Jiao Zong earnestly urges the MOE to disclose the procedure for individual application in bid to tackle the problem earlier from available accounts. As an aside, the MOE is also proposed to release an ad hoc appropriation for the said schools to recruit temporary teachers.

5. Dong Jiao Zong, as a final note, urges the MOE to set up an interactive platform specifically for vernacular Chinese primary schools where major Chinese associations and education institutions are to be convened for opinions regularly. Hopefully, a scientific mechanism which addresses short, medium and long-term needs will be brought about through concerted efforts and informed negotiation; it is also intended for an answer of the problem impacting normal operation of vernacular Chinese primary schools, let alone the extant teacher shortage issue.

Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

December 13, 2021

Mahathir’s Assimilation Platitude Denounced—Beware of Misleading Narrow-mindedness

In former Prime Minister Mahathir’s recent book, language assimilation policy was advocated explicitly and Dong Zong was yet again pinpointed for compromising national unity. To our greatest regret, Mahathir’s allegation was paradoxical and unfounded. Dong Jiao Zong, with these means, denounces and urges all races in the country not to be misled by this narrow-minded mentality.

The current advocation of Mahathir is one of political spin which repetitively attributes multi-stream education system for the damage of national harmony and unity. Platitude of this sort is but a hasty generalisation; more precisely, a logical fallacy which cannot be justified by objective or sufficient evidence and can only be termed as stereotyped narrow-mindedness. Up till now, there has been no extant research finding evidencing the national unity awareness of national primary school students precedes that of vernacular Chinese primary schools. What is more, research findings accessible across the globe also indicate that racism is rooted on factors like institutional policy deviation and inadequate social resource distribution among others and it is not correlated with multi-stream education system.

In Mahathir’s book, assimilation policy practiced by Indonesia and Thailand at early years was cited to justify his understanding of assimilation. Regrettably, he is not informed both countries had renavigated its course amenable to human rights and abandoned assimilation policy in 2000 resulted in the public learning of Chinese and the establishment of Chinese schools on their soil. In reality, the Malay Muslims in southern Thailand were prohibited from learning Bahasa Melayu similarly many years back. Evidently, the assimilation policy practiced by Thailand not only fails to unite ethnic Malay residing in southern Thailand, but also generates cultural oppression on Malay Muslims in southern Thailand. Social unrests occurred after stronger protests took place locally.

Being a civilian organisation, Dong Jiao Zong strongly believes that mother tongue education is the fundamental human right and the most effective educational approach. Inherently, Dong Jiao Zong has been safeguarding its mother tongue education and respecting the mother tongue education right of other ethnic groups while upholding the vision of cultural co-existence. Sincerely, we persist to fight for the reasonable right of mother tongue education while esteeming Bahasa Melayu as the national language. In the face of national implementations, we responded within the scope of Constitution: the reliance on universal human rights value, the safeguard of mother tongue education and the upholding of multi-cultural inherence.

Blessingly, selfless people from all ethnic groups reach out for help spontaneously amidst the thread of prevalent COVID-19 and survival issues of the nation. While these imminent issues are yet to be tackled, splenetic politicians are hyping racist narratives for their own interests. Notwithstanding labelling it ‘New Malaysia’, the topical content of Mahathir’s new book sees the future of the country in a rather small-minded perspective. Time shifts and there is no gainsaying that the nation’s wisdom has been initiated; we are convinced, our nation will be wise enough not to be misled and fooled easily.

Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

December 4, 2021

In consequence of the addition of Chinese name to the name board of two vernacular Chinese primary schools in Pekan by the Pahang State Education Department, Dong Zong and Jiao Zong (Dong Jiao Zong) herewith release their statement proper as follows:

1.  As informed, two vernacular Chinese primary schools in Pekan Pahang (SJKC Yoke Hwa and SJKC Kee Wha) received their new name boards with Jawi and Bahasa Melayu scripts devoid of Chinese characters from the Pahang State Education Department in early November. Through protest from various sectors and the prompt intervention of Mah Hang Soon the Deputy Education Minister, Chinese characters were later added on by the state education department and displaced accordingly which is greatly welcomed by Dong Jiao Zong.

2. As noticed, on the name boards supplied by the Pahang State Education Department to these two schools, Jawi scripts were seen preceded, followed by Chinese and Bahasa Melayu in sequence. Dong Jiao Zong understands that Bahasa Melayu is the national language and Chinese is the main medium of instruction and administration of vernacular Chinese primary schools, the name boards of the schools need to be either Bahasa Melayu or Chinese Mandarin and not others. The inclusion of Jawi scripts on displayable signboards is a recent and specific practice approved by the Pahang State Legislative Assembly and it was intended for all commercial and NGOs’ signboards but not temples to comply with. Therefore, Jawi can be positioned third in sequence on a public signboard in response to the requirement. Pertaining to this matter, the MOE is called to redress for a satisfactory settlement assurance.

3. Truth be told, Dong Jiao Zong follows the development of the abovementioned event closely and stresses that any measures implemented by the authorities should not be an attempt to modify the existing characteristics of the various streams of schools; it is for the safeguard of our multi-lingual and multi-cultural inherence.

Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

November 5, 2021

Informed by the Senior Minister of the Malaysia Education Ministry Mohd Radzi Md Jidin’s written reply in the parliament, from 2022 onwards, Jawi scripts will be introduced in Grade Six of vernacular Chinese and Tamil primary schools nationwide in accordance with the decision made on 14 August 2019 in the cabinet. Dong Zong and Jiao Zong deeply regret to learn of this announcement as it neglects the voices from the Chinese and Indian communities, which is, to set the controversial implementation aside for a more matchable measure to fit in the multiplicity inherence of the society. Herewith Dong Zong and Jiao Zong specially release their joint statement proper as follows:

1. Last July, the Senior Minister of the Malaysia Education Ministry Mohd Radzi Md Jidin had promised to review the existing Jawi scripts implementation in vernacular Chinese and Tamil primary schools meticulously. Moreover, the Chinese and Indian communities had for several times proposed to put this tendentious educational implementation aside for the moment in a bid to formulate an algorithm which matches with the multiplicity inherence of the country by putting all heads together for in-depth discussions. Unfortunately, no follow-up was updated but arbitrary implementation of Jawi scripts learning in both primary Grade Four and Five Bahasa Melayu subject, ignoring the proposal submitted by the Chinese and Indian communities. Additionally, from next year onwards as instructed, this implementation will be further extended to Grade Six. Dong Jiao Zong is greatly perturbed and feels resentful by such approach.

2. The Ministry of Education has commenced to put the introduction of Jawi scripts in Garde Four Bahasa Melayu subject in vernacular Chinese and Tamil primary schools since last year. It revealed from the questionnaire survey conducted by the Ministry of Education that 70 percent out of 1,297 vernacular Chinese primary schools and 0.38 percent out of 524 Tamil primary schools opted to accept the Jawi scripts implementation model. This year, the MOE similarly administered questionnaire survey to Grade Four parents of the said schools enquiring whether they were willing to accept the Jawi scripts implementation. Though the survey result has hitherto not disclosed by the MOE, according to the survey conducted by Dong Jiao Zong separately, 98 percent of the vernacular Chinese primary schools nationwide objected to this implementation. The data saliently suggest, the pedagogical approach and implementation model of the Jawi scripts were not widely recognised. As such, we urge the MOE to put this implementation aside for a comprehensive review, but not to repeatedly put it into practice, causing doubts and discontentment.

3. Malaysia is a multiracial, multireligious, multilingual and multicultural nation. Dong Jiao Zong has since been observing the multiplicity coexistence spirit by encouraging mutual learning and understanding of diverse calligraphic art and culture. Therefore, we have never at any point in time opposed to the introduction of language and writing of any other ethnic groups, inclusive of the Jawi scripts. If truth be told, ever since the introduction of the Jawi scripts learning in Grade Four of vernacular Chinese and Indian primary schools, Dong Jiao Zong, together with other Chinese and Indian organisations alike have been trying to resolve the dispute from the educational aspect; and they have for many times proposed to practise the implementation in a multiple approach by referring to Grade Five Bahasa Melayu textbook—with introduction of the calligraphy of other ethnic groups—used from 2015 to 2020. To our regret, the proposal was not adapted and thus leaving the Gordian knot unaddressed.

4. Dong Jiao Zong repeatedly urges the MOE to listen to voices from the general public, nipping the dispute in the bud by putting the implementation aside. In this sense, the MOE is proposed to introduce the Jawi scripts by incorporating multicultural elements into the learning contents, that is, to include writing scripts of other ethnic groups side by side with the introduction of Jawi scripts. This way, we believe, students will get to know the calligraphic characteristics and beauty of other ethnic groups which not only corresponds with our pluralistic inherence but also helps in multicultural interactions and understanding.