Joint Statement Made by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

29th October 2019

The Federal Constitution Guarantees the Establishment of Chinese and Tamil Vernacular Schools

Rights of the Minority Ethnic Groups Should Be Preserved

Malaysia Mighty Bumiputera Party (Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia ) vice president Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz has filed a notice, in his personal capacity, to challenge the establishment of vernacular schools under the Education Act 1996 has contravened the Federal Constitution. In this regard, Dong Zong and Jiao Zong wish to respond in the following statement :

The Dong Jiao Zong educationist group wish to stress that Malaysia is a multi-ethnic society consists of a variety of culture, languages and religions. The country has developed an education system with institutions adopting different languages as their respective medium of instruction. Amongst them, the Malay, Chinese and Tamil medium schools possessed history that can be traced as far back as nearly 200 years since their first establishment. As a diverse society like Malaysia, the vernacular schools are of valuable assets and advantages that contribute to the country's growth and development.

The vernacular schools have existed long before Malaysia's independence and they are guaranteed under Article 152 of the Federal Constitution. These schools are also part of the national education system and regulatory frameworks. Over the years, the establishment of vernacular schools is permitted under the Education Ordinance introduced in 1920, Education Ordinance 1952, the Education Act 1957, 1961 and 1996. Political leaders have also repeatedly acknowledged the contributions of vernacular schools. All parents in various ethnic groups have a right to choose the kind of education for their children. These are undeniable facts that cannot be twisted, and should not be destroyed by any individual or organisation. No one should be deprived of the right in choosing vernacular school systems as education of choice, nor leveraging on this issue as an attempt to undermine social harmony.

Dong Jiao Zong has appointed a legal team to study the court case on vernacular schools and will have a meeting with major Chinese organisations on Nov 9 to deliberate the next course of actions.