Chinese newspapers in the past week downplayed the impact of the bilingual teaching of Mathematics and Science in Chinese primary schools but were full of praises for the Chinese-based parties in Barisan Nasional for standing up for their community on the issue.

MCA leaders aligned to Team A led by party president Dr Ling Liong Sik and Gerakan deputy president Kerk Choo Ting were among the leaders feted in news reports.

Ling said the Chinese Malaysian community will accept the compromise reached at the BN supreme council meeting last Thursday and will continue to support the ruling coalition in the next election.

The transport minister also told party leaders not to make any more remarks nor politicise the issue further as the matter has been resolved.

Kerk described the teaching of the two subjects in both Chinese and English next year as a "visionary design that will improve English proficiency among students".

"It is a big improvement for us. Before this, we (Chinese schools) did not have English and Science in Year One. Now we have both, and nine periods taught in English," he was reported as saying.

MCA vice-president Ong Ka Ting, who is also the housing and local government minister, described the decision as a "bonus" for the Chinese schools.

He said the number of periods for Chinese as a subject was not decreased because the three periods taken from the original 15 periods per week were already decided by the Education Ministry early this year.

Singing praises

Other MCA leaders who echoed Ong's statement included Wanita chief Dr Ng Yen Yen who said the decision was proof that "MCA is always with the Chinese community on all issues" and party treasurer-general William Chek Lian Kwai who said it was "in line with the wishes of the community".

Party central committee members Hon Choon Kim, William Chek Lin Kwai, Dr Chua Soi Lek, and Poh Ah Tiam also described the decision as a 'win-win' solution because Chinese schools will be more attractive now with bilingual teaching of Maths and Science.

Chinese groups such as the Seven Major Federations of Chinese Clan Associations were also reported to be praising the four parties involved MCA, Gerakan, Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) for their contribution to the community.

Against the grain

However, not all Chinese political leaders were portrayed as champions or winners on the issue though.

The Nanyang Siang Pau editorial yesterday said the decision had clearly shown there were "several minions from MCA who had unscrupulously used the issue for personal gains and revenge", in contrast to the "mature, courageous, and wise" top leaders of the four Chinese-based parties.

The leaders believed to refer to MCA vice-presidents Chua Jui Meng, Chan Kong Choy, and Youth chief Ong Tee Keat were said to have attempted to disrupt the BN negotiation by making statements which contradicted the stand of the party's central committee.

The trio, aligned to MCA deputy president and Team B leader Lim Ah Lek, were blamed for floating the idea of bilingual teaching of Maths and Science in Year One before the BN had made a final decision on the language switch.

"Their statements contradicted the MCA central committee's collective stand earlier that the two subjects are best taught in mother-tongue rather than an alien language such as English. This had made the negotiation between the Chinese-based parties with BN more difficult," the article claimed.

Another commentary in Guang Ming Daily Monday called the trio "the salesmen of bilingual teaching for Maths and Science who were rejected and scoffed at by the Chinese community" as "more Malay than the Malay".

Alternative views

News reports quoting groups such as the Kelantan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry that chided these "disturbing voices" were also given prominence.

Reports that gave alternative views and questioned the feasibility of the BN decision were relegated to the bottom-half page and given less space.

Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall president Ting Chee Seng and Jiao Zong vice-chairperson Loot Ting Yee were among the dissenting voices which opposed the language switch for Science and Maths in primary schools since Umno proposed for it in May.

Nanyang Siang Pau , together with its sister newspaper China Press , was acquired by MCA through its investment arm last year, whereas Guang Ming Daily and Sin Chew Daily are owned by Sarawakian tycoon Tiong Hiew King who is said to be close to MCA chief Ling.

Year One pupils in Chinese schools will have their daily school hours extended by an extra 30 minutes next year. They will study and sit for tests for Maths and Science in both Chinese and English in the new school syllabus.

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Monday said the issue has been resolved and warned that those who continue to question the decision may be arrested under the Sedition Act.