YOURSAY | ‘Why can’t non-Malays have their own congress to discuss matters affecting their communities.’

Gamis: We used 'May 13' headline to attract attention

Anonymous 2449671483368245: The Malaysian Muslim Students Coalition (Gamis) is providing a stupid excuse to cover up for its dangerous and seditious headline.

The organisation’s explanation that a provocative headline was used for an article with the sole purpose of grabbing attention is just plain wrong.

Many Malaysians, including myself, are waiting for the authorities to take action against these troublemakers.

Anon 2000: So, Gamis deputy president Mohd Zofrie Zulhilmie Ruslee is saying that it is alright to put any controversial, misleading or hateful headline just to attract more people to read the said article?

It is people like Zofrie who are the cause of racial hatred and disunity in the country.

Muruga: A repeat of the May 13, 1969 incident will affect everyone, not only the non-Malays.

In addition to the deaths and injuries of many innocent people, the stock market will crash and investors will pull out of the country. Many, especially young talents, will choose to migrate to another country.

The Dong Jiao Zong-organised congress should be allowed to proceed without threats of chaos and violence. It is the organisation’s right to convene in a peaceful manner and discuss issues which affect them.

The police need to take affirmative action to ensure the rights of all citizens are protected and no untoward incident will happen.

Malaysian United: Gamis’ deliberate act in using the May 13 incident as a tagline to attract attention can be considered a racial incitement.

The authorities, especially the police, will be seen as biased if no investigation or action is taken against the group.

Anonymous 25f11f13: Gamis’ reaction to the Chinese Organisations Congress is so disappointing and sad.

When they disagreed with the views and action of another group, instead of engaging in constructive discussion or debate, the first thing Gamis did was to threaten them with bloodshed.

What future is there for Malaysia?

Anonymous 1540780680: If the police could use Penal Code Section 504 (“Whoever intentionally insults, and thereby gives provocation to any person, intending or knowing it to be likely that such provocation will cause him to break the public peace, or to commit any other offence, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both”) to investigate the former Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng's ashes being brought back to Malaysia, then they have no excuse but to investigate Gamis’ racial incitement by using the same law.

Jarchin: The Gamis’ threat is more dangerous and could do more harm to the country than the investigations on those being in the possession of the now-defunct Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorist group’s souvenirs and on those who brought home Chin Peng’s ashes from Thailand.

Sarawak 4 Malaysian: As an NGO, Muslim or otherwise, it is irresponsible, unwise and desperate to remind Malaysians of an episode we never want to happen again on our soil.

Why aren’t the authorities going after members of the Gamis group, who had posed a clear and present threat to the nation?

Indeed, the use of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) in this instance could be forgiven.

Just A Malaysian: Is Gamis aware of the current education predicament in Malaysia, where many graduates, including Malays, are deemed to possess unemployable skills?

Instead of opposing the Dong Jiao Zong-organised congress, isn’t it better for Gamis to take part in the said congress to find ways to improve the education system in the country?

Maybe if they can join forces, the NGOs could have enough clout to persuade the Education Ministry to come up with a better educational plan instead of mere window dressings like introducing three pages of khat writing lessons.

Fair Mind: If Dong Zong and Jiao Zong are considered as racist organisations, why haven’t we seen any of the Chinese schools’ students or ex-students coming out shouting May 13 threats or issuing any racist statements like what Gamis students did.

Who are the actual racists here and who is actually threatening whom?

Black Thorn: As much as I don’t support Dong Jiao Zong, it was still an uncalled statement by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to suggest that Malay groups or organisations will take extreme measures if the Chinese educationist group’s Chinese Organisations Congress goes on as planned tomorrow.

With his statement, Mahathir allegedly gave the ultra-Malays the go-ahead with their actions.

The non-Malays in the country did not protest when the Malay Dignity Congress and KL Summit were held this year. So why can’t Malaysians of other races have their own gatherings or congress to discuss matters affecting their own communities, such as the implementation of khat (Jawi) lessons in vernacular schools?

Five decades ago, Malaysians of all races and religions lived in harmony but now, it’s a real agony to see how our lives have changed.

Our leaders and politicians should concentrate on improving the rakyat’s lives by focusing on matters such as the economy and education, instead of harping on race and religion at every single turn.

Fair Malaysian: One is supposed to be responsible for his or her statements. Discussion is the best way to resolve "misunderstandings" in multiracial Malaysia, not through threats and confrontations.

Dong Jiao Zong, too, should drop its ego and have a warm discussion with the interested parties regarding the introduction of khat lessons in vernacular schools.

There is nothing wrong in learning the three pages of khat lessons included in the Bahasa Malaysia Year Four textbook.

There are plenty of balancing acts to be done to please everyone in a multiracial Malaysia with conflicting demands. The rakyat should support the present leadership by giving them the encouragement to carry on with their work.

Let us have faith in them. The alternative is unimaginable.

Sherlock: Is the khat (Jawi) writing a useful skill to acquire? If it is not, just let the parents decide whether to allow their children to learn it or skip it in school.

The decision-making process for khat lessons is similar to getting one’s child enrolled in a religious study, ballet, music, or an art and craft class.

These are all extracurricular lessons that are not the basic requirement for living skills or the core subjects in the school syllabus.

Whereas, the school curriculum should place importance on subjects like Maths, Science, Bahasa Malaysia, English, Geography, and History, which are necessary to develop a student’s knowledge and skills.

Yoursay: The debate on teaching Jawi in our schools

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