Gerakan Youth expressed disappointment with the deputy prime minister writing off Dong Zong’s complaints of a shortage of Chinese-educated teachers in Chinese schools, saying the NGO’s concerns merit attention.

NONE Gerakan Youth secretary-general Dominic Lau ( left in photo ) said he disagreed with Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement that the issue raised by the Chinese education rights group was “ a big lie ”, and added that it was “unacceptable”.

Lau said he hoped the education ministry would “reflect on itself” as to whether it had treated all schools fairly and make the necessary changes, adding that “the 325 rally happened for some reasons”.

“If the government is able to play its role properly, it would not receive that many attacks from various organisations,” he added.

Lau also expressed the party’s approval of Dong Zong, naming it the “highest authority of the Chinese education” and acknowledging its “contribution and sacrifice”.

“He (Muhyiddin) should arrange for a roundtable discussion with Dong Zong as soon as possible.

"We need an avenue for discussion and negotiation in order to resolve the core of the problem as well as eradicate any misunderstandings.

“That is why the cabinet set up a special committee chaired by the Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong which came up with the education ministry’s eight-point plan,” he explained.

Stressing that the existence of various streams of vernacular schools in Malaysia is “indisputable”, he added: “As the education minister for all Malaysians, Muhyiddin has the responsibility for all schools.”

On March 25, Dong Zong organised a three-hour rally at the New Era College in Kajang, Selangor  that saw thousands turn up to press home the decades-old problem facing Chinese-medium schools.

Deputy minister Wee met the full force of the community’s anger over the issue when he was jeered upon showing up at the rally.