SARAWAK remains opposed to Jawi being introduced in vernacular schools, saying the majority of Sarawakians mistrust the motivations of the federal government behind its policies for the state.

State DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen asked that Jawi lessons be elective instead of mandatory for the Chinese schools in Sarawak.

Chong acknowledged the Education Ministry’s “good intent” in wishing to teach primary schoolchildren the Jawi script but said years of Barisan Nasional rule had made Sarawakians suspicious of Putrajaya’s policies.

Even though the Pakatan Harapan government had initiated reforms, “it is still to short a time to rebuild the trust and confidence of Sarawakians towards the Federal Government”.

“As such, introducing the art of writing Jawi script in Chinese schools is viewed by the majority of Sarawakians, especially the Chinese community, with suspicion, objection and resentment and thus not appropriate for implementation at present moment.

“DAP Sarawak will convey to the cabinet he majority Sarawakian view on this issue.

“We suggest that in accordance with the autonomy principle, special arrangements be made for Chinese schools in Sarawak i.e. that the teaching of Jawi script be made optional,” Chong said in a statement this evening.

Chong is the federal deputy minister of domestic trade and consumer affairs.

His statement follows DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang’s earlier today, in which he had said learning Jawi script did not make him “less Chinese” but “more Malaysian”.

Chong said it was still Sarawak DAP’s agenda to ensure the state had autonomy in education, including the drafting of syllabus in schools, building of schools and employment and management of teachers.

The proposed Jawi lessons for next year sighted by The Malaysian Insight showed they aimed to impart values while teaching the pupils how Jawi is used in Bahasa Melayu.

Jawi takes up six of the more than 100 pages in the textbook. – August 4, 2019.