DAP must ensure Chinese primary schools are built, says MCA
PETALING JAYA: DAP ministers must ensure that the 10+6 Chinese primary schools (SJKCs) be built according to the initial plan, MCA said.
Its publicity bureau chairman Datuk Chai Kim Sen said the DAP reps should speak up on the Chinese schools and other issues that have attracted wide attention in the past week in the Cabinet meeting today.
“If the Pakatan Harapan govern- ment believes that Penang, Selangor and Melaka need new SJKCs, they can actually approve the construction of more SJKCs,” he said.
Chai was referring to the plan by the previous federal administration to build 10 new SJKCs and relocate six other, which the Pakatan administration said would be reviewed.
Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching reportedly said some of the schools were not strategically located.
In a statement yesterday, Chai also urged the DAP ministers to clarify on the views of Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik on the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) and ensure that the UEC is recognised.
He said Dr Maszlee had said that the effects of UEC on the status of national language and national unity should be taken into consideration when recognising UEC.
“His claims will ultimately result in misunderstanding of the people towards the Chinese independent high schools and UEC,” Chai said.
He said the six DAP ministers should also rectify Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s “rich Chinese” claims and ensure the Pakatan government is fair in its administration.
On the crackdown against illegal workers, Chai said the Cabinet should listen to the grumbles of employers, especially those from the small and medium enterprises.
“Avoid carrying out aggressive crackdown operation, which will then hit the country’s economy,” he said.
In response to the criticism by DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) chairman Wong Kah Woh that the Cabinet appointments showed disrespect for the Pakatan component parties, Chai said DAP ministers should voice out DAP’s stance in the Cabinet and fight for it.