Joint Statement Made by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

August 6, 2019

Adamant Objection to Jawi Scripts Learning in Vernacular Schools

1. Early today the representatives from Chinese organisations and Tamil associations submitted the consensus (set aside first and discuss later) reached among the twelve Chinese organisations on the August 5 joint meeting which clearly conveys their stance towards the Seni Khat unit. There are altogether five points approved in the general agreement.
2. The participants from the Chinese organisations and Tamil associations posited their adamant objection towards the learning of Jawi scripts in all vernacular schools.
3. The attendees unanimously agreed that the existing brief introduction of Jawi scripts in the Grade Five Bahasa Melayu coursebook is acceptable but not in-depth learning which demands writing, assignment and the eventual examination.
4. All participants in the meeting reiterated their “set aside first and discuss later” decision to be conveyed to the Deputy Minister of Education. They further suggested to hold a discussion on DSKP (Curriculum and Assessment Standard) between the relevant stakeholders for a better solution on the implementation of a brief introduction of Jawi scripts in national-type primary schools; they agreed in addition, for a fair and healthy education system and measure to come into play, comprehensive interaction and discussion should be staged for relevant educational parties and stakeholders, in particular when the issue is sensitive among the ethnic groups in the country.