Syed Saddiq urges Dong Jiao Zong to accept govt’s decision on Jawi

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 21 Dec 2019 6:20PM · 5 Comments

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman is urging Dong Jiao Zong to accept the government's decision to introduce Jawi writing as part of Bahasa Melayu lessons for Primary Year 4 students in vernacular schools. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, December 21, 2019.

THE Chinese education group Dong Jiao Zong should respect the cabinet’s decision to retain introduction to Jawi lessons in the Bahasa Melayu subject for vernacular schools, said Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

Syed Saddiq also urged the group to not carry out its rally on December 28.

“I feel we have sought a compromise, a middle path in the matter, because it had been discussed at great length in the cabinet and we have achieved a consensus.

“Most importantly, we must look forward because there are four major issues which Malaysians want involving the economy, cost of living, housing and employment. Please focus on these four matters because they are most important,” he said.

He said this to the media after launching the 2019 eUsahawan Young Heroes Summit organised by the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Facebook Malaysia at the Malaysian International Trade Exhibition Centre (MITEC) today.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad warned of backlash from Malay pressure groups if Dong Jiao Zong continues with the congress as planned, which may revive demands to close down vernacular schools.

The prime minister also advised every party to be considerate of the sentiments of others.

In August, the Education Ministry confirmed that it will still implement the introduction of Jawi in the Bahasa Melayu Year Four subject next year as scheduled.

Despite protests on the teaching of Jawi writing in vernacular schools, last month the high court in George Town, Penang decided that the teaching of the Jawi writing was part of Bahasa Malaysia and could be taught in Chinese and Tamil schools. – Bernama, December 21, 2019.

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Comments

  • saddiq argument is correct. engage and not like tun, threatening. always bully. ptui to this oldman

    Posted 4 years ago by . . · Reply

  • My grandfather and my father learned Jawi in the 40's and even wrote contract documents in Jawi. Jawi as part of Malay language is indisputable. There is no good reason to reject "knowing" something that is somehow related to our circle of life. Now that the consensus stipulates Jawi to be 3 or 4 pages of non-compulsory learning. This makes it even more acceptable. It is not anything hard to swallow. DJZ should be accomodating on this matter.

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • Jawi was incorporated into the Malay language-never was it part of BM-go and read the history! Fake news.

      Posted 4 years ago by Nyaz Yussoff · Reply

  • The old style called dictatorship will prescribe rules like "respect the cabinet decision" or DR M has decided and all fools please follow. Let me tell you that you work for the Malaysian public made up of many races, and religions with different cultures. We live in a democracy and not some banana republic as we did under BN. Jawi is NOT Bahasa Malaysia-it is an ARABIC script which Non-Malay, Non-Muslims dont want in our
    educational system.
    Not only is it a waste of time to study this ( if you like better study Arabic) Non-Muslims are worried that this may be an attempt to try and make Non-Muslims become Muslims. That is the fear, and Muslim-Malays must respect that. Additionally, we dont want our Non-Muslim children to lose their culture. This is very important. If Non-Malays agree, who knows the next thing is to wear sarongs to school, attend Ugama classes, and wear a songkok etc.
    Chinese and Indians are NOT ARABS. We dont want to be like or behave like Arabs. So respect non-malays and drop this stupid suggestion.
    Additionally, when the Malays -Muslims had their dignity meeting, Non-Malays are like wise entitled. Never will Jawi be part of the Malaysian education system for Non-Malays-Never!

    Posted 4 years ago by Nyaz Yussoff · Reply

  • What was the Cabinet decision on Zakir Naik's continued presence in this country? Why were no sedition charges pressed, nor was his PR revoked?
    Syed Saddiq, please elaborate.

    Posted 4 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply