Dr M’s remarks baseless

'I am commenting based on my observation that what Dr Mahathir is alleging, that the Chinese community, in particular Chinese educationists, are blocking the government's efforts at racial integration, to be not true,' he told reporters.

The Straits Times

A CLAIM by former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad that Chinese educationists were stifling government attempts at racial integration has ruffled feathers at the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA).

MCA president Ong Tee Keat, who is also Malaysia's Transport Minister, yesterday brushed off Tun Dr Mahathir's assertion, saying that he disagreed with it.

Datuk Ong insisted that the Chinese community in the country supported the policies of the government.

'I am commenting based on my observation that what Dr Mahathir is alleging, that the Chinese community, in particular Chinese educationists, are blocking the government's efforts at racial integration, to be not true,' he told reporters.

'So in asking me to comment, I wish to say I disagree with what has been said. I feel it is not correct, because if we really understand the Chinese community's thinking, they too have stated their support for programmes to enhance racial integration.'

Mr Ong had been asked to comment on the remarks by Dr Mahathir carried by the Malaysian Insider news website, according to Bernama.

MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong was more strident in his response to the former premier's remarks, saying that they were baseless and that Dr Mahathir had ulterior motives when he uttered them.

'If the Chinese educationists do not like to mingle with the Malay community, I would like to inform him that almost 90 per cent of students who finish their primary school at SJKC (Chinese vernacular schools) enrol in national secondary schools,' Datuk Wee said.

He also strongly defended the vernacular schools: 'SJKC syllabus is created by the Ministry of Education, we sing the same national anthem and swear to the same national principles (Rukun Negara).'