Cops quiz Dong Zong president, sec-gen for over two hours

Chinese educationist group Dong Zong president Tan Tai Kim and secretary-general Ng Chai Heng spent more than two hours at the Bukit Aman police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

The pair were questioned over their comments regarding the introduction of Jawi khat (calligraphy) in the Bahasa Malaysia syllabus for Standard Four pupils in vernacular schools.

Accompanied by Dong Zong vice-chairperson Yang Yin Chong, central committee members Low Chee Chong and Yeoh Chai Kok, the two arrived at the Bukit Aman police headquarters at 9.30am.

After entering Bukit Aman at 10am, Tan and Ng reappeared at about 12.40pm.

“We were probed separately but the most important thing is that the police were professional and friendly. The entire process ended smoothly,” Ng told reporters.

Tan said apart from the khat issue, they were also quizzed on vision schools but declined to reveal details.

According to their lawyer Abraham Au, a total of 18 police reports had been lodged against Dong Zong.

Dong Zong had been courting flak from Malay groups over its opposition to the introduction of khat in vernacular schools, claiming it to be a form of Islamisation.

The group remains reserved on the matter, and said the ministry's current rule that the lessons should only be taught with the endorsement of parent-teacher associations (PTAs), parents and students was problematic.

Previously police said Dong Zong was being probed under Section 504 of the Penal Code, which covers insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, and is punishable with up to two years’ jail, a fine, or both.

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