14 August 2019
Press statement by MCA Deputy President Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon
Slamming Dong Zong as “racist” & “instigating”, Dr M desecrates national unity
As Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad has promised a transition of his premiership after two years in office, there is little time left for his to establish a leadership style for young adults to emulate. Dr Mahathir should take these later years of his to perform good deeds, and leave a lasting legacy for the future generations to remember fondly instead of with resentment.
On 13 Aug 2019, Dr Mahathir had accused Dong Zong as “racist” and “inciting Malay hatred”, and just speaking-up-for-Chinese instead of being multiracial. Such overtones are a serious devastation against uniting Malaysians from all ethnic groups and creating a New Malaysia that is harmonious.
Dong Zong was founded to safeguard the Constitutional right to mother-tongue education. If Dong Zong were to remain silent on any attempts to alter the characteristics of Chinese primary schools, will there be a need for Dong Zong? Just as how Kesatuan Guru-Guru Melayu Malaysia Barat (KGMMB) aims to safeguard the interests of Malay teachers, Dong Zong’s intention to safeguard mother-tongue education is also reasonable.
If there are calls that vernacular schools be revoked by the government, then shouldn’t Armada Bersatu’s online petition to the government to revoke Dong Zong’s registration be classified as illegal?
This is not the first time that Dr Mahathir has berated Dong Zong. He had previously accused Dong Zong of being “Communist” and “racist.” Is it his intention to drive hatred between the Malays and non-Malays.
I would like to remind Dr Mahathir that when his political relationship with Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim turned sour which led to a split in the Malay vote, it was via the calls by Dong Zong And MCA to support Dr Mahathir that BN emerged victorious in the 1999 general election.
Dr Mahathir should also note that in the 14th general election on 9 May 2018, if 95% of Malaysian Chinese had not supported him, Dr Mahathir would not be Prime Minister today.
On the introduction of khat calligraphy in the Bahasa Malaysia subject for Year 4 pupils, even former Cabinet Minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and other Malay scholars are opposed to the idea and view such a directive as not feasible. Thus, why should Dr Mahathir target Dong Zong?
On the request by Armada Bersatu to the premier to revoke the registration of Dong Zong, there is no need to blame the Chinese educationist group. Is it possible that Dr Mahathir is facing a serious leadership crisis in Pakatan and thus uses these khat and Dong Zong issues to divert attention?
Even if Dr Mahathir continues to snub public opinion, even if DAP’s 42 MPs quietly listen to him, the majority of the Malaysian Chinese are bent in safeguarding the Constitutional right of Chinese education. The nonagenarian should be aware of the metaphor that a smooth sailing tide can capsize a boat anytime.
Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon
MCA Deputy President
-MCA online-
