Joint Statement Made in the Joint Meeting of the Chinese Communities on 28^th December, 2019   

The Jawi Scripts Learning Disputes—Safeguarding the Role of the Board of Directors

The Chinese communities in Malaysia have always been observing the spirit of multiculturalism in this multiracial, multicultural and multi-religious country. They have never at any stage protested against the learning of language of other ethnic groups. That said, when the government is implementing Jawi scripts learning in national-typed Chinese and Tamil primary schools, the principle of multiculturalism should be adhered.

The inclusion of Jawi scripts in national-typed Chinese and Tamil primary schools, from the launching of operation guidelines to the amendment of guidelines vividly shows a lack of professionalism in practice which subsequently begged public resentment.

There is no gainsaying that the Board of Directors of any national-typed Chinese and Tamil primary schools is the mastermind on the advancement of the schools. The disrespect of the Board of Directors or veto to the role of the Board of Directors on the Jawi scripts learning event has accelerated disturbances and doubts from parties involved and it was obviously not a zero sum solution. This indicates that the Ministry of Education ignores suggestions from the Chinese communities and has no sincerity in solving the argument which ended up in the loss of confidence and disappointment.

Based on the fact that there is a strong opposition to the Jawi scripts learning from both the Chinese and Indian communities, any pushed implementation will accelerate confrontations between the general public and the government. It further poses a harm to harmony in the country. Therefore, we urge the government to exhibit the will to tackle the argument and rectify the policy which obviously incurs anxiety among the parties.

For the sake of long term interests of the country and the uphold of racial harmony, the following decisions had been made in the joint meeting:

1. We persistently safeguard the role of the Board of Directors; in any implementation practiced in national-typed Chinese and Tamil primary schools, their board of Directors plays the decisive role;
2. We urge the government to be amenable to public appeal, viz., to withdraw the decision to include Jawi scripts learning in national-typed Chinese and Tamil primary schools Standard Four syllabus;
3. We are convinced, any school in Malaysia should reflect and promote multiculturalism, and thus we accept that Jawi scripts, Chinese calligraphy and Tamil calligraphy and other ethnic culture can be introduced in the curriculum syllabus, such as the introduction of calligraphies of ethnic groups in Standard Five Bahasa Melayu primary school textbook; and
4. We urge the government to arrange a dialogue on the matter of Jawi scripts learning with the Chinese communities shortly.

The participated parties in the joint meeting are as follows:

1. Persekutuan Persatuan-persatuan Lembaga Pengurus Sekolah Cina Malaysia (Dong Zong)
2. Gabungan Persatuan Guru-guru Sekolah Cina Malaysia (Jiao Zong)
3. Gabungan Pertubuhan Cina Malaysia (Hua Zong)
4. Merdeka University Berhad
5. Persekutuan Persatuan-Persatuan Alumni Sekolah China Malaysia
6. LLG Cultural Development Centre
7. The Federation of Alumni Association of Taiwan Universities, Malaysia
8. The Association of Graduates From Universities and Colleges of China, Malaysia
9. Majlis Bahasa Cina Malaysia
10. The Federation of Hokkien Associations of Malaysia
11. The Federation of Kwang Tung Associations Malaysia
12. Persekutuan Persatuan-Persatuan Hakka Malaysia
13. The Federated Teochew Associations of Malaysia
14. The Federation of Hainan Association Malaysia
15. Persatuan Guangxi Malaysia
16. Pertubuhan Gerakan Belia Bersatu Malaysia (GBBM)
17. Majlis Gabungan-gabungan Bahagian Belia Pertubuhan Klan Kebangsaan Malaysia

Supported by parties as per follows:

1. Tamil Foundation
2. Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
3. Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation (EWRF)
4. CHILD Information, Learning and Development Centre
5. Partners of Community Organisations (PACOS, Sabah)
6. SAVE Rivers (Sarawak)