Ahead of the Kajang state seat by-election next month, the United Chinese Schools Committees' Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) has chipped in with a request to reinstate the Yu Hua Chinese secondary school in Kajang.

Its chairperson Yap Sin Tian made the appeal to both the state and federal governments during his speech at Dong Zong's Chinese New Year open house in Kajang today, after acknowledging that the by-election has received national and international attention.

Yap ( right ) also asked for land and funds to be allocated for the opening of the independent school, while also requesting both governments to help resolve the land donation issue involving the New Era University College in Sepang, which has dragged on for 14 years.

A branch of the college - founded by Dong Zong in 1998 - is currently located in Kajang as well.

Yap also described the National Education Blueprint, which Dong Zong objects to, as a lingering "long snake".

"The Education Blueprint - (it’s) as though a long snake is still lingering from the old year," he said of their Chinese New Year couplet wish.

"Pluralism and good governance - here's hoping that we will leap into the new year like a fine horse," he added.

Yap also expressed concern over the "extreme statements" that have rocked racial and religious relations in the country since the 13th general election, and called for everyone to contribute to social harmony.