By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 5: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Kota Sentosa branch chairman Wilfred Yap has urged the Ministry of Education (MOE) to withdraw its proposal to reduce weekly Chinese language lessons for Year One pupils in Chinese national-type primary schools (SJKCs) from 15 periods to 10, warning that the move could undermine the future of vernacular education.
Yap, who is also Kota Sentosa incumbent, strongly objected to the proposed reduction, describing Chinese Language education as central to the identity, character and educational foundation of SJKCs, rather than merely another subject in the school timetable.
He said cutting the number of lessons by one-third could weaken pupils’ language development, particularly during their formative years when a strong foundation in reading, writing and communication was crucial.
“The Ministry must not make decisions that directly affect the future of vernacular education without adequately considering the concerns and views of the education community,” he said in a statement today.
Yap said he stood with the United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong), United Chinese School Teachers’ Association of Malaysia (Jiao Zong), parents, educators and the wider Chinese community in calling on the federal government to immediately withdraw the proposal and retain the existing 15 weekly Chinese Language periods.
He also questioned the role of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), pointing out that the party has a representative serving as Deputy Minister of Education.
“With a DAP representative holding the position of Deputy Minister of Education (Wong Kah Who), why is the Chinese community still facing a proposal that could significantly reduce Chinese Language teaching periods in SJKCs?” he asked.
Yap said DAP had long positioned itself as a defender of Chinese education and the rights of the Chinese community, adding that such commitments must be reflected in concrete action rather than election promises and political speeches.
He called on the Deputy Minister of Education to demonstrate leadership by taking a clear and firm stand against the proposal, saying the Chinese community deserved decisive action rather than explanations, requests for extensions or promises of further discussions.
Yap also questioned DAP Sarawak’s credibility in seeking to enter the Sarawak Legislative Assembly to provide checks and balances against the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government.
He said accountability should begin with a party’s own political leadership, particularly when policies introduced by its federal government could affect the interests of the community it claims to represent.
“If DAP wishes to be taken seriously as a voice of accountability in Sarawak, it must first demonstrate that it can effectively represent and defend the interests of the community at the federal level,” he said.
He added that political representation should be measured by the willingness and ability to stand up for the people, rather than simply the positions held or promises made.
In contrast, Yap said the Sarawak GPS government had demonstrated its commitment to educational development, inclusiveness and the preservation of vernacular education through various policies and initiatives.
Among these, he cited Sarawak’s annual financial assistance to Chinese independent secondary schools, describing it as institutionalised support for their continued development.
He also highlighted the State government’s facilitation of land allocations for Chinese schools to support relocation and expansion, as well as its recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
Yap said qualified UEC holders were allowed to enter the Sarawak civil service and apply for Yayasan Sarawak education loans, subject to applicable requirements.
He added that GPS recognised the important role of Chinese vernacular schools in providing educational opportunities, preserving cultural and linguistic heritage, and strengthening Sarawak’s multicultural society.
“These are tangible commitments demonstrated through policies, decisions and sustained support, rather than political rhetoric,” he said.
Yap stressed that the issue went beyond party politics, as it concerned children’s educational opportunities, parents’ aspirations and the continued strength of Chinese vernacular education in Malaysia.
He said SUPP had a responsibility to speak up whenever the interests of the Chinese education community were threatened and would continue working alongside Hua Zong, Jiao Zong, school boards, parents and educators to defend vernacular education.
“The federal government must not proceed with this proposal at the expense of our children’s language education. The Deputy Minister of Education must take a clear stand, and DAP must demonstrate that its longstanding promises to the Chinese community are backed by action,” he said.
Reiterating SUPP’s position, Yap called on MOE to retain the existing 15 weekly Chinese Language periods in SJKCs, saying the future of children’s language education should not be compromised. — DayakDaily
