KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) is hoping that the incoming new Minister of Education could quickly resolve the dreadful khat lesson issue that is currently troubling the vernacular schools, besides delivering the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government’s promise of recognizing the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) for the Chinese independent high school students.
Its president Tan Sri T.C Goh especially pointed out that since PH came into power for the last 20 months, the former Education Minister never had meeting and dialogue with the key Chinese educationist groups over Chinese education, neither had he responded to their request for a meeting cum dialogue on such matter.
He thus hoped that the incoming new Minister of Education could give top priority to conduct a meeting cum dialogue with the key Chinese educationist groups, to listen to their views and to provide necessary assistance to them.
“We hope our prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad could appoint someone who has the aptitude to be the “Education Minister for all Malaysians” who is willing to listen to the people’s views on education issues and, would not hesitate to meet educationist groups from various communities, to discuss about issues concerning national education.
“We are essentially a multiracial, multicultural country with vernacular education system that is bestowed and protected under the Federal Constitution. Hence, regardless of who forms the government, such a unique feature must be preserved,” said Goh in a statement issued on Saturday.
While expressing shock on Dr Maszlee Malik’s resignation from his Education Minister post on Friday, following advice from the prime minister, Goh who is also the president of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) said he would not speculate on the reason behind such a decision.
“We respect his (Dr Maszlee) decision and we wish him well,” he said.
He also acknowledged and commended Dr Maszlee for his efforts and contributions towards reforming the nation’s education system during his tenure as Education Minister.
He added that the people of Malaysia, the Chinese community especially, are hopeful and convinced that the prime minister would appoint someone who is truly qualified-and-capable to helm the Ministry of Education, to continue with Dr Maszlee’s unfinished job of reforming the nation’s education system.
“Education is an important aspect for human capital development and nation building. Hence, it is undoubtedly a consequential-yet-challenging task for the incoming Education Minister, whoever he/she may be,” he concluded.-pr/BNN
