Anwar wants Jawi dispute brought back to negotiating table

Updated 6 years ago · Published on 23 Dec 2019 7:01PM · 5 Comments

PKR President Anwar Ibrahim says Jawi is part of national heritage and should be taken as an example of intercultural awareness. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, December 23, 2019.

PKR President Anwar Ibrahim wants all factions in the Jawi dispute, including Dong Zong, to return to the negotiating table ahead of a congress on the issue this Saturday.

Dong Zong plans to host a rally against teaching Jawi in vernacular schools this weekend, in spite of fears it could cause a backlash from right-wing Malay organisations.

In a statement today, the Port Dickson MP cautioned that the controversy surrounding the move could stir political and racial sentiments.

“Organising an anti-Jawi conference will spark a pro-Jawi conference,” he said.

Anwar called on Dong Zong and other factions, including Malay organisations, not to hold any event on the issue.

He also reminded everyone that Jawi is part of national heritage, adding Bahasa Malaysia was initially written in Arabic script, which was later modified to become Jawi, which should be taken as an example of intercultural awareness.

“Malaysia is a multiracial and multicultural country, and we should be proud and respect our diversity,” he said.

“The priority of our education system should be improving quality,” he added.

The Chinese education group’s decision to hold the gathering at the New Era College in Kajang has sparked warnings from politicians, including from Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Dr Mahathir warned Dong Zong that its insistence on holding the gathering could lead to other repercussions, such as Malay pressure groups reasserting their calls for vernacular schools to be shut down.

Meanwhile, PAS leader Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali At-Takiri recently told Dong Zong not to proceed with its plan to hold a congress to protest against the introduction of Jawi modules in the Bahasa Malaysia subject.

Khairuddin also called on police to intervene in the group’s plans to prevent an incident similar to the 2017 Seafield temple riots breaking out.

Gabungan Seni Khat Action Team (Sekat) said today that it will be holding a national pro-Jawi congress on December 29 to pressure the Education Ministry to introduce the module into the Bahasa Malaysia syllabus and to achieve consensus on the matter. – December 23, 2019.

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Comments

  • The people who made this stupid policy of including Arabic in the Bahas Malaysia course should have thought about the impact on Non-Malay parents. If I have children studying in Malaysia, I will REFUSE to allow them to be FORCED to learn JAWI. I dont want my kids who are non-muslim ( no disrespect to Islam) to be likely influenced by Islamic teachings. Whether it happens or not, Non-Muslim parents flatley reject this.

    Now that Non-Muslims want to have a conference to discuss-can you IMAGINE THE PM OF MALAYSIA THREATENING CHINESE THAT THERE WILL BE RAMIFICATIONS. Do you think this PM works for all races.
    If Anwar Ibrahim wants to survive, he and his coalition partners must now stand strongly on the principles that he was elected on. If it means peacefully protesting all over the world, BERSIH must start up the process for DR M to go. We want a multiracial country like the USA-not something like Iran or Turkey, or worse the Saudia Arabian nightmare!!!

    Posted 6 years ago by Ricky Vatsaloo · Reply

    • Eventually, there's no difference between PH and BN if all component don't voice the main point of PH's victory 2018. Last victory was based on Rule of Law and putting aside Race and Religion but TM won't bow to it he want to run the country like BN style too.

      Posted 6 years ago by MA63 SSS · Reply

  • Let us see whether the new PH government will adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Convention that Malaysia is a party to with the United Nations-the right to freely speak and to peacefully assemble in protest in what is a draconian policy. The PM and the cabinet work for the Malaysian people, if they dont care-you will see that the next elections this government will be defeated.

    Posted 6 years ago by Ricky Vatsaloo · Reply

  • There is no compulsion in Islam.
    So they said. But not what they do.

    Posted 6 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • There was no disputes in the beginning. Take it away and don't make us dispute.

    Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply