Don’t use education as a political weapon, says Tee Yong

(The Star) – The call by Malay NGOs to the Government to shut down vernacular schools is racist, says MCA Young Professionals bureau chief Datuk Chua Tee Yong.

He urged the police to investigate the comments by the NGOs in order to safeguard national unity.

“I urge all the NGOs and parties to stop making accusations and snide remarks. All of us should work together with the Government in its efforts to enhance nation-building and reconciliation plans.

“Education should not be used as a weapon for one’s political interests.”

He was responding to reports that 120 NGOs had issued statements urging the Government to close down all vernacular schools to achieve racial unity.

Chua said these groups should listen to the advice by Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who had called on all parties to focus on uniting the people and stop racial politics.

Chua said Najib and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had emphasised that vernacular schools and mother-tongue education played a vital role in national development, including nurturing talented people in the country.

Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM) said the call by the Malay-Muslim Consumer Association for a single stream education system is “a new height of the post GE13 blame game”.

GBM said it was disheartening that the process of reconciliation post GE13 was being jeopardised by calls from certain quarters to abolish Chinese and Tamil school systems.