Since Harapan accustomed to U-turns, DAP exco urges Maszlee to make another
A Selangor state exco member launched a stinging salvo over the decision to make khat (Jawi calligraphy) compulsory in the Bahasa Malaysia syllabus for Standard Four students in vernacular schools.
Reminding Education Minister Maszlee Malik that he represents all Malaysians, V Ganabatirau rued that the Bersatu politician appeared to be more focused on insignificant matters such as the colour of school shoes and socks.
In a statement this afternoon, the DAP assemblyperson urged the minister to reverse the decision to introduce khat, arguing that the Pakatan Harapan government is no stranger to backpedalling on its decisions.
“I demand that the minister concern discuss this proposal with all stakeholders and make a U-turn on this policy for the (sake of) future generations.
“Afterall, making U-turns is not something new for the Harapan government,” he added.
Despite objections, Ganabatirau noted that Maszlee (below) and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad are firm that khat would be introduced next year.
“It is difficult to understand the logic behind this policy.
“Currently, khat is being taught as part of Islamic Studies in national schools and what is the need of expanding it to become part of the Standard Four syllabus?” he asked.
Did ministry consult stakeholders beforehand?
The Kota Kemuning assemblyperson also dismissed the Education Ministry's explanation along cultural and heritage lines, saying others should not be forced to accept it.
Ganabatirau asked if the ministry consulted the relevant stakeholders before making a decision on this matter.
“Did they call all the stakeholders including those from Chinese schools and Tamil schools to discuss the matter? Did they discuss the proposal in the cabinet?
“These are the questions people are asking but it seems the education minister is not willing to consider any of these concerns.
“People are wondering why the minister and the government are adamant and rushing to implement this policy but all the other demands... are being implemented at a snail's pace,” he added.
Apart from this, the exco asked if there is an ulterior motive for introducing khat and if it was part of an Islamisation process.
Previously, Maszlee said the move was not aimed at "establishing Islamisation in vernacular schools."
In addition to fostering a beautiful writing style, the minister also said the introduction of khat would enable students to recognise the country's heritage and identity.
Mahathir's comparison is not ideal
As for Mahathir's argument in citing how Chinese writing was not opposed in the past, Ganabatirau sais this was not an ideal comparison.
“The prime minister said that people should not question the (khat) move as the majority didn't question when Chinese writing was introduced.
“This is not an ideal comparison that a prime minister should be making.
“He should remember that Chinese or Tamil writings are only being used in vernacular schools and not as a part of the mandatory syllabus nationwide. Therefore, the issue of people questioning Chinese or Tamil writing doesn't arise at all,” he added.
Ganabatirau also pointed out that the introduction of khat could lead to the sidelining of competent BM teachers who are unable to teach the Jawi calligraphy.
“In the long run, graduates from Islamic institutions and from the Middle East could replace our own talented teachers and this would create uneasiness among the teachers.
“Apart from this, introducing a new syllabus requires a big allocation from the government's coffer which (the current administration) claims (has been) emptied by the previous administration.
“This could affect the government's ability to prioritise the welfare of the people such as health and higher education especially for the people from the B40 category,” he added.
The khat's out of the bag....
ReplyDeleteThe teaching of Jawi script was introduced way back in 2015 under the previous regime, why don't the DAP exco ask UMNO/MCA for the ulterior motive...
Guanee is right, Sin Chew newspaper didn't make this an issue back in 2015, now in 2019 the newspaper blows it up and make it sound like this is a new problem, DAP is introducing Jawi....note Wee Ka Siong is taking a deflective stance on this, asking DAP to solve the problem (as usual), make khat as an Art (or elective) subject, not compulsory BM, but he doesn't mention it was MCA that allowed it into BM in the first place 4 years ago. He must be feeling a little guilty...
Just like Lynas, 1MDB, ECRL etc...create the problem, then condemn DAP for not being able to solve it....
QUOTE from MOE's 10 FAQ
Jawi script-writing has also been taught in SJK through Bahasa Malaysia curriculum since 2015. Please refer pages 85 to 88 of SJK Year 5 (2015 edition), Theme 6: Culture and Nation Appreciation (Unit 17: The Writing Art).
UNQUOTE
Maszlee said plan to introduce this calligraphy was part of the ministry’s curriculum revision since 2014. Today is 2019, so is Maszlee admitting he was/is UMNO? Of course we know PM Mahathir was, and his heart still is.
DeleteBut who is the CURRENT government? Still UMNO?
There is this expectation that there is a magical “undo” button that the CURRENT government can hit and instantly reverse every bad decision made in the past. Is this how you propose we undo the teaching of Jawi which started in 2015 and on which the teaching of khat calligraphy is based? And how will the masses react to that?
Deletei dun think so. but the reaction make it one, a surprise gift to mahathir.
ReplyDeleteClearly Education and the Education system in Malaysia has been compromisd by religion and politics to the extent that most can't see what is right or wrong anymore in providing a 21st Century education needs of Malaysian children.
ReplyDeleteIt such a disgrace and embarrassment how anyone can still call themselves Minister, Dep. Minister, Sec-Gen, Directors, Vice-Cancellors, Professors etc in the whole Malaysian Education System.
Is the current Malaysian Education system meant to produce only more politicians, govt. servants, clerics, preachers, religious bigots, racists, slaves or is it meant to prepare Malaysian children for the 21st century workplace and environment?
It's a sad tale of the strong, rich and powerful Malaysian parents who can escape and look for other alternative education for their own children leaving the rest of the Malaysian children to such a sordid backward education system who will mostly end up serving as slaves to children of the rich, strong and powerful who had a more endowed education.