DONG Zong is not a racist education group, said Tan Tai Kim, as he entered Bukit Aman to give his statement to police today.

The United Chinese School Committees Association chairman said he received a phone call from police to be present at Bukit Aman today at 9.30am.

“We were asked to come over to give our statements on the teaching of Jawi. We are here to help the police as Malaysians.

“I wish to stress we are not a racist group, our views are the same as those offered by other races,” he told reporters.

Accompanying him were Dong Zong secretary Ng Chai Heng and their lawyers.

Six reports were lodged against the United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) after it vowed to launch a campaign to collect signatures in protest against the introduction of khat calligraphy in vernacular schools and its insistence that such a move is a form of Islamisation.

Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said it is investigated under Section 504 which provides for action against anyone for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad also accused the Chinese education group of being racist as it was always opposing the government’s efforts to foster unity.

“They are against everything. They never agree to anything the government proposes,” he said following its objection to the teaching of khat to year four pupils in vernacular schools during Bahasa Malaysia lessons.

After giving their statements for three hours, Tan said, police interviewed them separately.

“We were questioned by an inspector and an assistant superintendent. It went smoothly, but we were not told if we will have to return to give more information.

“I hope we don’t have to come again.” – August 22, 2019.