DAP may continue to berate MCA over the issue of Chinese schools but MCA publicity bureau chairperson Chai Kim Sen said the party will remain focused on developing Chinese schools.

Chai said despite the announcement of 10 new Chinese primary schools and the relocation of six schools, DAP has continued to “aim its arrows at MCA”.

“Nevertheless, MCA’s focus on deploying practical methods towards our constitutional right to construct Chinese schools remains unabated.

“For all too long, DAP has resorted to dishing out non-constructive insults but they will not shake MCA’s efforts towards ensuring the growth of Chinese schools,” said Chai in a statement today.

The opening of new Chinese schools, said Chai, was proof that MCA’s promises have been delivered.

“We do not expect DAP to contribute towards constructing Chinese schools (but) it is our party’s hope that the Rocket will not engage in education sabotage, so that construction of the Chinese schools may be successfully completed,” said Chai, in reference to DAP’s logo.

Meanwhile, Chai also urged the Selangor state government to give its cooperation on the construction of five Chinese primary schools in the state so that the schools may commence operations as soon as possible.

“We do not want the Selangor government, like in the past, to use all kinds of excuses to obstruct the construction of Chinese schools,” he added.

MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong yesterday confirmed that the education department had given the green light for 10 new Chinese primary schools and the relocation of six schools with low enrolment.

This, he said, was a result of MCA’s engagement with necessary stakeholders, including Chinese education groups, over a period of 11 months.

Meanwhile, MCA Youth secretary-general Leong Kim Soon insisted that DAP lawmaker Ng Wei Aik immediately apologise to the Chinese community and Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon (photo) over the issue of allocations to Chinese schools.

“Ng has recently accepted Chong’s challenge - to issue an open apology to all, should the 2017 special allocation for Chinese primary schools be distributed on time. Otherwise, Chong will have to resign from his post as deputy education minister.”

Leong pointed out how the Education Ministry has received warrant letters for the allocations of RM50 million and RM15 million, which are meant for Chinese primary and secondary schools respectively.

“Therefore, those opposition leaders who have made such arrogant challenges should keep to their promises and apologise, so as to prove that they are indeed people of their own words.”

Chinese DAP leaders, Leong said, have constantly politicised the Chinese education issue and attempted to twist the efforts of the Chinese community and MCA.

“Lim Guan Eng, Lim Kit Siang, Ng Wei Aik, Teo Nie Ching, Teresa Kok and many others keep lambasting MCA with the Chinese education affairs but their contributions to Malaysian Chinese education is nowhere to be seen.

“MCA has faced their ridiculous attacks and slander continuously in defending the Chinese education rights, but never once stopped (the) fight for Chinese education,” he said.

Leong believes it is therefore time for those who had been lambasting MCA in relation to the Chinese education issue to apologise to the Chinese community.

“Please keep your promise, and stop using excuses to shirk responsibility. One must learn to reap what one sows,” he said.

Ng yesterday promised to apologise to Chong if the collective RM65 million allocation for Chinese schools is distributed by next month.

Chong had claimed his ministry would be distributing the money to Chinese schools in the near future, which Ng took issue with as the money was allocated almost a year ago in Budget 2017.

Chong, however, had insisted that the allocation was meant for 2017, and that funds are commonly distributed at this time of the year.