Give people more say in Jawi issue, urge Umno, PAS Youth

SM Amin SM Amin Updated 4 years ago · Published on 1 Dec 2019 8:44PM · 8 Comments

The youth wings of Umno and PAS are calling on the government to listen to stakeholders and examine alternatives before pressing ahead with plans to introduce Jawi into vernacular schools. – EPA pic, December 1, 2019.

UMNO and PAS Youth have no problems giving stakeholders more say over the introduction of Jawi lessons in Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools, saying it makes sense as they have vested interests.

Umno Youth exco Bastien Onn told The Malaysian Insight Putrajaya should not force the teaching of Jawi in Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools, and should have instead negotiated with stakeholders before pushing it through.

“The government should listen because it involves the implementation of Jawi lessons (in their schools) and it should also provide an explanation.”

He also agreed with MCA Youth chief Nicole Wong, who – in her speech at MCA’s 66th annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur today – said Jawi modules should not be forcefully included in the Bahasa Malaysia textbook and should instead be elective.

She also urged the management of all schools to be included in the decision-making process on whether Jawi should be introduced in Chinese vernacular schools next year.

“Nicole has a point in that the government should bring the matter to the negotiating table with stakeholders and Chinese school managers,” he said.

Bastien also agreed that Jawi should be made an alternative subject and expanded alongside Chinese calligraphic art in national schools.

“We welcome the teaching of Chinese calligraphy as an elective in national schools, so that other races can master it, too,” he added.

Meanwhile, PAS Youth chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin told The Malaysian Insight the government should resolve the matter with stakeholders before pushing forward, or give vernacular school pupils the choice of taking up the lessons.

“Sensitive issues such as this can only be resolved if we go back to the constitution,” he said.

Khairil also said other languages ought to be taught in national schools.

“We are also calling for Chinese and Tamil to be taught as additional, alternative or elective subjects to pupils in national schools,” he added.

“PAS Youth will initiate efforts to introduce Chinese and Tamil at selected integrated Islamic primary schools under the PAS Youth Council,” he said.

Last August, the Education Ministry had said it would go ahead and introduce Jawi in Chinese vernacular schools, provided the move is agreed upon by parent-teachers association, parents and pupils. – December 1, 2019.

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Comments

  • Learning any other language, other than English, BM & Own Mother language shd be decided by the Students after their secondary education.....

    Posted 4 years ago by Maniraju Maruthai · Reply

  • Can anyone trust these religious liars? Before in power they promise the sky. After that everything must be shariah compliant even if telling lies!

    Posted 4 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • Ah, so Mephistopheles is wearing the angelic garb now eh... try and do some smooth talk to make suckers out of voters.. like as though well trust you jokers again

    Posted 4 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • Never Trust the Religious Bigots They are hiding EVIL in their Religious Robes. LIARS N BULLY OF THE HIGHEST ORDER. FORCE RELIGION ON OTHERS.

    Posted 4 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • Except to communicate and basic written communication, we never use BM in higher studies, working life or out of the country. But spending so many years learning the language ( needless to say, it has been purposely made so difficult to show its richness even at UPSR/PT3). But no choice bcos its national language....but why the hack Jawi....idiots

    Posted 4 years ago by Maniraju Maruthai · Reply

    • PH started the Jawi thingy and forced it down the vernacular schools throat. People are ever so upset about it. Now hearing this from the UMNO and PAS, the opposition sounds like angels whether we like them or not.

      Posted 4 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply

  • Jawi is not the national language.If Jawi is allowed then Indian and Chinese cultures must be part of the school curriculum. I would like to see Chinese and Indian muslims depicting other races contribution to Malaysia since the 11th century. If government wont pay for it, local communities should collected funds from benefactors and build. It would be wonderful to see the history of China and India -showing how it shaped Malaya.

    Posted 4 years ago by James Massamg · Reply

    • I meant "museums" .We need to write more books on Malaysian history -in particular the ancient indian civilizations. AS for Bahasa Malaysia, it is not an important language. While it can be used as the national language, while overseas-noone has heard of it. Infact, they call it "Bahasa". Malaysians must study English, Mandarin and other important languages. Only learning Malay, will handicap Malaysians in the global world.

      Posted 4 years ago by James Massamg · Reply