Groups accuse Nie Ching of jumping the gun on khat

Yeoh Cheong Ee Yeoh Cheong Ee Updated 4 years ago · Published on 8 Aug 2019 7:00AM · 5 Comments

Chinese and Tamil education groups deny reaching a consensus with the deputy education minister on the khat issue. – EPA pic, August 8, 2019.

DEPUTY Education Minister Teo Nie Ching jumped the gun by issuing a statement saying that a consensus had been reached on the khat issue after a meeting with Chinese and Tamil groups on Tuesday, said the attendees.

They told The Malaysian Insight that many things that were not discussed with the deputy minister, including details on the teaching and content of khat calligraphy.

A source at the meeting said Teo explained her stand on their request to set aside the khat lessons for further discussion but reminded them not to reveal that to the media.

After the meeting at Putrajaya, Teo said Chinese and Tamil education groups have agreed to allow khat calligraphy to be taught after initially opposing the move.

“We have agreed that it is not a problem to introduce khat writing. The intention is to introduce the art of khat calligraphy and not to learn Jawi,” she said.

However, the groups denied that was the case, saying that no such consensus was reached at the meeting.

Lim Lian Geok Cultural Development Centre chairman Lau Chee Boon, who was also present, said the confusion could have been avoided if Teo had issued a joint statement with the groups.

Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching claims that Chinese and Tamil education groups have agreed to allow khat calligraphy to be taught to year four pupils. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, August 8, 2019.

“There were many things we did not discuss with the ministry, including the details on teaching and content of khat calligraphy and how they were going to improve it in the curriculum.

“When we met her (Teo), we asked her to put aside the proposal first.

“We need a lot more discussions before we can decide on anything,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Lau added that Teo’s announcement was premature and a joint statement could have avoided any different interpretation on the outcome of the discussions between the education groups and the deputy minister.

“We hope that in the future, anything that is related to Chinese and Tamil education would be discussed with all interested parties first, prior to any implementation.

“We were quite shocked with Teo’s statement because what she said was from her perspective. It might cause people to have different interpretations on this issue. This was why we later issued our own statements to make our stand clear.”

Dong Zong, or the United Chinese School Committees’ Association, yesterday said no consensus was reached to accept khat’s inclusion in the year four Bahasa Malaysia syllabus for vernacular schools next year, contradicting Teo’s statement.

The group said it wanted more discussions to take place before the move is implemented.

Following that, Tamil Foundation Malaysia also rejected the teaching of khat calligraphy to year four pupils, saying no consensus on the matter was reached during the meeting with Teo. – August 8, 2019.

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Comments

  • Replace the 4 khat lessons to 4 BM classes, everyone will be more happy.

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Stop issuing any statement, stupid Nie Ching. U have a vague understanding of the Non-Malay sentiments on the Khat issue. This can push DAP into confidence crisis among your supporters . What must we Non-Malay learn Arabic whether it's an art , language or belief? It has nothing to do with us, idiot.

    Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • It took 60++ years to be rid of UMNO +MCA at Putrajaya.

    It took less than a year and a half for some DAP ministers, to morph into MCA 2.0??

    Posted 4 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

    • Why dont someone start MCA 3

      Posted 4 years ago by S L · Reply

  • One Malaysian curriculum, thats it. What the fuss about it if we really want to be New Malaysian.

    Posted 4 years ago by Ty Tiko · Reply