ADUN SPEAKS | It is good to know that not all Malay NGOs in the country are against the Chinese educationist group Dong Zong in organising the congress on the teaching of Jawi in vernacular schools on December 28, 2019, in Kajang, Selangor.

Muslim youth organisation Abim thinks that dialogue with Dong Zong will help clear up matters on the teaching of the Jawi script in vernacular schools.

The congress organised by Dong Zong is not an open rally nor it is a protest against Jawi, but a discussion among delegates as to how to take up the matter with the federal government.

In the larger interest of the nation and society, Dong Zong is not really opposed to the Jawi script. They might have been earlier, when the idea was mooted, but have resigned to the fact of its possible implementation.

The issue is that since the teaching of Jawi is optional based on the necessity to obtain the consent of 50 percent of parent-teacher associations, whether the school boards have any role.

Dong Zong thinks strongly that the teaching of Jawi in vernacular schools should not be left to the parent-teacher associations, but that the school boards and bodies that play a pivotal role in Chinese vernacular education must also be roped in.

They insist that this should be done, and it would be fair to Dong Zong if it is done.

I am not sure why there is opposition to this requirement.

Dong Zong, which has contributed so much to Chinese vernacular education, cannot be sidelined on the teaching of Jawi script.

Some are asking why there is so much do about nothing as there are only three pages of Jawi script that will be introduced in schools next year.

How can three pages of Jawi script dilute the contents of the vernacular school curriculum?

There are real or imagined fears that the introduction of Jawi might have minimal impact, initially but have the potential to erode the contents of vernacular education in the future.

It is strange that when the debate on Jawi script has gone beyond the earlier obstinacy, there are Malay groups that still think and act as though Dong Zong is still opposed to the Jawi script.

These Malay extremist groups, having their anchor in the extreme racist and religious politics of Umno and PAS, have threatened Dong Zong to call off the planned congress or face the consequences.

However, it is refreshing to note that there are sane organisations, like Abim, which has taken a bold approach in terms of de-escalating the ongoing tensions.

A commendable move by Abim

Rather than taking the childish approach of the right-wing racist groups, Abim has called for a dialogue with Dong Zong and the groups that represent Tamil vernacular schools.

The move by Abim is a commendable one, to say the least.

The Muslim youth organisation certainly understands the challenges faced by the Dong Zong.

Rather than asking them to call off the congress, Abim thinks that dialogue would be much more helpful in finding a solution.

Those who oppose Dong Zong’s call for the congress should realise that there is no point in beating the chest about democracy, freedom of thought and freedom of association if they are not willing to concede to Dong Zong’s democratic right to hold a congress.

Why is it that some of the racist organisations have to invoke the threat of the racial riots of May 13 if they are not agreeable to meetings or gatherings?

Is this what we want in this country?

Is the ghost of May 13 invoked to put a damper on discussions, dialogues and meetings?

When do we say a big ‘No’ to these kinds of threats and intimidation?

What is surprising is not the racism nor religious bigotry, but the silence on the part of leaders who fought vehemently for a ‘New Malaysia’.

Even if there are differences with Dong Zong on the matter of Jawi script or vernacular education, surely it is not asking too much to defend their democratic right to call for a congress?

P RAMASAMY is Perai assemblyperson and deputy chief minister II of Penang.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.