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Engage and rationalize with Dong Zong, Dr Mahathir

Engage and rationalize with Dong Zong, Dr Mahathir

PUCHONG: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was taken to task for labelling Chinese educationist group, Dong Zong as racist instead of engaging them as stakeholders, on the issue of khat.

“Instead of allaying the cconcerns of Dong Zong, on the khat issue, calling it racist will only distance it from any compromise or negotiations that should be had by all stakeholders on the matter,” said Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh in a statement.

“If there are valid grounds to disagree with Dong Zong, they should be rationally argued and its concerns should bot be dismissed on account of racism,” he said.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad labelled the Chinese educationist group, Fong Zong racist due to their objection to the implementation of khat for the Year 4 students.

Dr Mahathir added that the group also had previously opposed the implementation of Vision School during his first term as prime minister in the BN regime.

Education Minister Maszlee Malik initially announced that khat will be made compulsory and the content was six pages. 

Mounting opposition, especially from non-Malay, non-Muslim groups led then resulted in Maszlee stating that the plan to introduce khat which will also include vernacular schools is optional and reduced to three pages.

Dong Zong was previously reported as stating that there were concerned of growing Islamisation through khat.

Ramkarpal said that concerns of the Chinese group on the issue may have some basis and represents a large section of the Chinese community.

“That there is dissatisfaction over the matter on the ground is a fact and cannot be taken lightly.”

Ramkarpal who is also the party’s legal bureau chief also lent his support to party secretary general Lim Guan Eng to raise the issue in the Cabinet.  Lim is also Finance Minister.


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Dong ZongDr Mahathir MohamadkhatRamkarpal Singh