Malay groups warn of racial riots if Dong Zong not stopped

Updated 6 years ago · Published on 25 Dec 2019 3:12PM · 7 Comments

Political leaders are calling on Dong Zong to call off its gathering on Saturday to discuss the teaching of Jawi in vernacular schools and return to the negotiating table. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, December 25, 2019.

SOME 200 people gathered outside the Kajang district police headquarters this morning urging cops to stop an upcoming meeting by Chinese education group Dong Jiao Zong on the teaching of Jawi in schools.

They warned that racial riots could break out if Dong Zong proceeded with its plan to hold the congress on Saturday.

The group, representing several Malay civil society groups, also lodged a police report against Dong Zong.

The report was lodged by Perkid Kebajikan Darul Islah Malaysia chief Masridzi Sat on behalf of the groups.

In his report, Masridzi said Dong Zong’s gathering on Saturday would incite anger from the Malay community.

“We urge the police to investigate and stop the gathering on December 28 as it will cause an uproar from the Malays, which will lead to a racial unrest, like what happened on May 13, 1969,” Masridzi said in the report.

He also urged the Home Ministry to ban Dong Zong.

“It is organising an activity that could have seditious elements – anti-Malay, anti-Islam – and could disrupt the peace and the social contract,” he said.

Earlier today, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Mujahid Yusof Rawa had also urged Dong Zong to call off its congress.

He said the group should take into account the high court’s ruling on November 28 that Jawi is part of the national language.

The high court ruling followed a suit filed by Gerakan challenging the teaching of Jawi in vernacular schools.

“The congress will only trigger negative reactions from those who support the teaching of Jawi. That is why I urge all the parties involved to go back to the negotiating table and find a common ground to resolve the issue,” he had said in a statement.

On Monday, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim had also called on all factions in the Jawi dispute, including Dong Zong, to call off their gatherings and return to the negotiating table.

Dong Zong is set to hold a gathering against the teaching of Jawi in vernacular schools this Saturday, despite fears it could lead to a backlash from right-wing Malay organisations.

Yesterday, Dong Zong had said that the congress was not a protest but an indoor event to discuss the implementation of Jawi script lessons in vernacular schools.

Dong Zong central committee member Low Chee Chong had said there were no plans for a rally and that the meeting would only be open to representatives from Chinese civil society bodies. – December 25, 2019.

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Comments

  • PDRM, no action for sedition and the threat of violence? Why not?
    But lots of action and charges using SOSMA against 12 innocent Tamils for their supposed support of a long defunct LTTE.
    This is Mahathir's Malaysia. It's as racist and religiously bigoted as they come.
    For Mahathir, only Muslims matter.

    Posted 6 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

    • agreed

      Posted 6 years ago by . . · Reply

  • PDRM please do what is necessary under the provisions of the Law to maintain peace and order.

    Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • cant even have a meeting to discuss issues without being threaten? yes, i agree that we should move forward and dong zong should have accept the cabinet decision but I also agree their democratic rights to discuss. tired of being threaten over small issue. this govt is worst then BN

    Posted 6 years ago by . . · Reply

  • The non Malay students are now very proficient in the Malay language. Still there is discrimination for entries into Universities.
    Whats the advantage of learning jawi script for all races. In fact all children should be taught the Chinese language as a subject, for better assimilation and their future. With China emerging as a powerful country, our citizens will be at an advantage in doing business with China.
    Jawi script can be made an elective subject.

    Posted 6 years ago by Aplanaidu Pathanaidu · Reply

  • Malay Civil society groups " warned that racial riots could break out if Dong Zong proceeded with its plan to hold the congress on Saturday" . Are we dealing with civil society groups or some radical Islamists that are threatening to attack our democratic rights. Is this a state sponsored Islamic Militant Group threatening racial violence is citizens exercised their freedom of speech and assembly. The last time Malay leaders did not throw out Abdullah Sungkar and Abu Bakar Baasyir ( Islamists wanted in Indonesia and were provided sanctuary in
    Malaysia) we saw the emergence of "Darul Islam" movement that was advocating a national islamic identity in Malaysia and Indonesia. They went to Saudi Arabia for funds and then Peshawar to inquire about training programmes for Southeast Asian militants.

    Since Zakir Naik's appearance and his condemnation of Non-Muslims, attacks against an ally the
    United States, non-tolerance of races and religion has become rampant-attacks against Indians and Chinese have stepped up. This is worse than when UMNO/BN was in power.

    My question is this, what are the authorities doing about this violent Islamists who want to riot/attack the Malaysian citizens who want to hold a meeting to discuss the educational system of the country. Is this the start of radicalization in Malaysia? This is very worrying not only to the local Malaysian population ( all races) but internationally.

    DR M seems to have the support of UMNO members, has a racist party as coalition partners and insist on supporting Zakir Naik. Is the police going to protect everyone attending, or allow a riot to happen.This is terrible, Malaysia is becoming a pariah state.

    Posted 6 years ago by Kunta Kinte · Reply

  • These people threatening riots are a national security threat. So are they going to be arrested? If a Non-Malay said that , he will be in jail. I suppose the NEP allows Bumiputra/Malays to say anything they like with impunity. So shameful, that a country will discriminate. The Police have no teeth, at one time they were the thieves. The AG is also powerless, so all powers are with DR M. Malaysia is losing its battle to be a respected democratic nation. We dont need a crystal ball to see where Malaysia is heading-backwards.

    Posted 6 years ago by Elvis Muniandy · Reply