Despite Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak not bearing any good news for Chinese education at Dong Zong's open house today, the group said Najib told them he was willing to discuss their demands after the Chinese New Year celebrations.

dong zong rally against educational blueprint 251112 yap sin tian 03 "He (Najib) asked me to arrange a meeting with him after the Chinese New Year celebrations," Dong Zong or United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia chairperson Yap Sin Tian ( left ) said.

"When exactly this will happen, it depends on the prime minister fixing a date. He said he will get in touch with us after Chinese New Year," Yap added at Dong Zong's Chinese New Year open house in Kajang today.

Asked if he was disappointed that the prime minister did not announce any goodies for Chinese education during the event, Yap merely smiled and replied: "What do you think?"

Nevertheless, he noted that the prime minister had stated earlier that no speech would be delivered at this event.

"He came here today just to celebrate Chinese New Year with everyone, (he) didn’t want to speak. We have asked his permission," Yap said.

However, Dong Zong deputy chairperson Chow Siew Hon is positive about the visit, saying there was no disappointment on the part of the Chinese education group.

"Although he did not bring any gift today, it does not mean there will be no gift in the future," Chow said.

He also said the prime minister's presence at the celebration would help Dong Zong to wipe off some negative labels against it, such as "anti-government", "anti-national" and "extremist".

“With the visit of the prime minister, it’s clear that Dong Zong won’t have such labels anymore. This is a good thing,” Chow added.

Dong Zong in its invitation to Najib for today's event had laid out three demands, namely the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), the creation of more Chinese independent schools and a review of the National Education Blueprint.

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