Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

May 17, 2019

 

The Education Minister Dr Maszlee claimed that it would only be fair for non-Bumiputera (in particular ethnic Chinese) to ask for the repeal of the quota system for matriculation when they were not denied in work application interview for being unable to speak Chinese Mandarin. In response this, here with Dong Zong and Jiao Zong forward their resentful stance proper:

1. Dong Jiao Zong posits overtly, the quota system for matriculation in theory should cater for the underprivileged group but in real practice it is a deliberate divide of the nation into Bumi Putra and non Bumi Putra and therefore unjust. Dong Jiao Zong urges the government to address to this issue seriously. The resent being, as the capacity of Minister of Education and a pundit, Dr Maszlee did not tackle the issue from the perspective of education profession for a comprehensive review on the said quota system; but rather, he mixed it up with the need for Chinese speaking proficiency in recruitment.
   
   Dong Jiao Zong declares, the requirement for language proficiency is applicable to relevant need in work and not an ethnic issue. The root of the quota system argument lies on the fact that the government is unjust in its practice towards other ethnic groups. Therefore, blurring the core problem is thought to be irresponsible and an incitement of racial sentiments and it should be decried.

2. Dong Jiao Zong wishes the government would treat each and every ethnic group fairly and ensure the quota system goes abreast with its ruling practices. Dong Jiao Zong thinks that the government needs to exhibit its will to reform and thus abandon the quota system for matriculation and not for the sake of ballots to safeguard this unfair policy which accelerates unequal treatment between Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera. As a matter of fact, underprivileged group exists in each ethnic group and they deserve fair treatment. In view of this, Dong Jiao Zong once again beseeches the government to abandon the quota system which merely opens 10 percent seats for non-Bumiputera; rather, replace the system with one which assesses from merits, economic status and demographical distribution for free and just application.

3. In fact, there are boons and banes in the enrolment system for tertiary studies and they culminate the candidates to compete on unequal footing. In conjunction with the government’s increase of seats in matriculation, other ethnic groups’ opportunity in getting the admission will be further exploited and it will seriously affect the overall academic standard. Therefore, Dong Jiao Zong appeals Dr Maszlee not to racialise and politicise the matriculation issue and wishes the government would review and reform the tertiary studies policy for a fair competition.