Chong: Jawi script a grave concern to Chinese community, not ‘petty’
KUCHING: The issue of the teaching of Jawi script in vernacular schools is a matter of ‘grave concern’ to the Chinese community, says Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
He said he was unhappy with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for having recently labelled the issue as ‘petty’, saying the latter should not have made such comment.
“The most important thing is how best this issue can be solved. The issue of teaching Jawi is a grave concern in the Chinese community in Sarawak particularly, but is seen as petty by Abang Johari.
“Yes, parents have the choice to decide whether their children are taught that because that is a policy under the PH government, but it is not a petty issue,” Chong told a press conference here yesterday.
Abang Johari on Jan 2 said Sarawak would not entertain “petty issues” such as the teaching and learning of Jawi script in schools, but will instead focus on tackling the rising cost of living.
“I do not want to be dragged into this petty issue (teaching and learning Jawi). To me it is very petty. Why should we be dragged into this petty issue? We must tackle the rising cost of living.
“Be it Jawi or calligraphy, we have our own (education) policy. We do not want petty things to come into Sarawak,” the chief minister was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, touching on the issue of Dr Maszlee Malik’s replacement as education minister, Chong said that it would not affect any current ongoing or approved projects and policies.
“The (education) ministry is still there and operating; the changing of ministers won’t affect that. A lot of policies have been set and the budget approved by Parliament, and they will be implemented over time,” he said.