Red rally in Kuantan
(The Star) – Thousands of people, mostly clad in red T-shirts, turned up at a rally in the city to push for the setting up of a Chinese independent school here.
Despite the slight drizzle, the 520 (May 20) rally saw 163 Chinese associations, guilds and non-governmental organisations nationwide sending their representatives to the MPK4 field near here to pen down their signatures.
A total of 4,374 signatures were collected.
Organising chairman Lim Chin Chee, Federation of Chinese Associations of Malaysia president Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah and Dong Zong chairman Dr Yap Sin Tian addressed the crowd.
Also present were MCA leaders such as Semambu assemblyman Datuk Pang Tsu Ming, Teruntum assemblyman Chang Hong Seong and Kuantan MCA division chief Datuk Ti Lian Ker as well as Pahang Gerakan chief Datuk Dr Ng Keong Chye and Tanah Rata assemblyman Ho Yip Kap.
Several Opposition leaders led by Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh also joined the rally.
Fuziah said she would raise the request for the school in Parliament if there was an opportunity and that Pakatan Rakyat supported the setting up of a Chinese independent school in Kuantan.
She added that Pakatan was all for mother tongue education and it was outlined in their Orange Book manifesto.
Meanwhile, Ti said MCA’s stand was consistent and that the party had been working tirelessly all these years to highlight education issues.
He said education should never be politicised and as such, all Barisan Nasional component parties were present to lend their support.
”Besides, the rights to mother tongue education is enshrined in the Federal Constitution,” he said.
Ti questioned the absence of Pakatan national leaders, saying it showed that they were not interested in standing together in the cause of the Chinese educationist groups.
He said only several local Opposition leaders were present in a move to shore up their support before the general election.
In his speech earlier, Dr Yap said he wanted answers from the Education Ministry as to why the permit was not approved despite favourable response from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
”If the ministry can approve the setting up of international school, why not a Chinese independent school?
”The rights of the people have been denied and this left us with no choice but to stage a rally today,” he said, adding that Dong Zong would continue to organise rallies until the request was met.
