Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

November 21, 2020

Dong Jiao Zong Insists on Using Multivariate Approach in Ethnic Calligraphy Introduction

Putting Implementation Aside Before Government and Public Dialogue Review Urged

Dong Jiao Zong regrets and is sorely disappointed over the decision approved in the Cabinet on 14 August 2019 to continuously introduce Jawi scripts in Grade Five Bahasa Melayu coursebook of vernacular Chinese and Tamil primary schools as it ignores the voices of the Chinese and Tamil communities. In response to this implementation, Dong Jiao Zong herewith positions as follows:

1. Dong Jiao Zong understands that the intent to implement Jawi scripts in SMJK Chinese and Tamil primary Grade Four Bahasa Melayu coursebook last year had since generated public dispute. It is due mainly to the approach and method of implementation which stirred up qualms and angsts among the Chinese and Indian community. Responsive to this, Dong Jiao Zong and many other Chinese associations as well as Indian organisations have for several times raised constructive proposals and views, including urging the government to implement the said matter in a multivariate approach. The government is also proposed to refer to the Grade Five Bahasa Melayu coursebook Jawi unit that has been used since 2015 in Chinese and Tamil primary schools as it dovetails our multiracial configuration, let alone promoting intercultural exchange and understanding and not simply the introduction of Jawi scripts. To our regret, the government not only ignores and disapproves the proposal but also in the process of implementation marginalises the rights endowed upon the school boards of vernacular Chinese and Tamil primary schools by the “Education Act 1996” instead and thus generates angsts and qualms in the Chinese community.

2. In a survey embarked on the parents of Grade Four students as well as parent and teacher association in vernacular Chinese and Tamil primary schools earlier this year by the MOE, it is noted of all the 1,297 vernacular Chinese primary and 524 vernacular Tamil primary schools, only 2.7 percent Chinese and 0.38 percent Tamil primary schools agree to have Jawi scripts introduced in Grade Four Bahasa Melayu coursebook. This survey in actual fact reveals most parents reject the Jawi scripts introduction model in Grade Four Bahasa Melayu coursebook; evidently, this measure has not got the full support of the parents and stakeholders and thus is insignificant. Worse still, this measure has to a certain extent caused differentiation. Weighing on this, we highly recommend the government to promptly terminate this unaccepted implementation and not to continuously push it in Grade Five Bahasa Melayu coursebook which actually generates unnecessary disputes.

3. Dong Jiao Zong reiterates herewith its persistent stance to safeguard the learning of individual language and writing, including the introduction of Jawi scripts only the introduction must comply with multicultural principle to consolidate coexistence spirit. In this train of thoughts, for proper resolution of the Jawi scripts dispute, we, including many other organisations have been fighting proactively by requesting and proposing to the MOE constantly to integrate other ethnic groups’ scripts concurrently when introducing Jawi scripts to fit in the multiracial, multilingual, multicultural and multireligious inherence of the country. Dong Jioa Zong reckons, since the Senior Education Minister Dr Mohd Radzi MD Jidin had raised the proposal to review the extant Jawi scripts learning implementation, the most appropriate approach is to temporarily put it aside and put together all representatives from various ethnic groups, including cultural and educational organisations from Sabah and Sarawak for a brain storming section to subsequently formulate a resolution attuned to the multiplicity inherence.

4. Dong Jiao Zong posits, respect should be paid towards the legal rights endowed upon the school boards of vernacular primary schools by the “Education Act 1996” prior to any measures implemented by the Ministry of Education. In this vein, on matter of Jawi scripts learning in Bahasa Melayu coursebook, the school boards must be given the decision right. Meanwhile, Dong Jiao Zong also urges all the school boards, parent and teacher associations of vernacular Chinese primary schools nationwide to position firmly in not accepting the Jawi scripts learning model implemented earlier this year in vernacular Chinese and Tamil primary schools but only for the alternative of introducing Jawi scripts in a multivariate approach which simultaneously includes other ethnic groups’ calligraphies in its contents.