KUCHING, Sept 25: Seni Khat Action Team (Sekat) has challenged Education Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching to publish the minutes of meeting with regards to the introduction of Jawi calligraphy in the education curriculum.
Sekat national secretary Arun Dorasamy claimed that in the meeting, which was held with some 50 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on Aug 21 in Putrajaya, Teo allegedly said that Sarawak and Sabah do not object to the introduction of the Jawi lesson in primary schools.
“We challenge Teo to publish the minutes of the meeting. This is to justify her claims, denying the allegations of her saying that Sabah and Sarawak have no objections to the introduction of Khat or Jawi calligraphy in the education curriculum,” Arun said in a statement, today.
Arun was adamant that Teo had said Sarawak did not object to the introduction of the Jawi lesson and that he had raised questions during the meeting.
“It was all minuted and therefore, I urged her to publish it,” Arun said.
Yesterday, Teo in a statement, denied the defamatory statements made against her by Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan, saying it was made in bad faith without seeking further clarification from her or her office.
“I have not said that the people of Sabah and Sarawak have not objected to Jawi or Khat at the said meeting or during any other occasions. In fact, it is indeed unfair to say that the ministry is ignorant of the concerns of the people of Borneo,” she said.
Sekat defended Voon’s statement, saying PBK only want to find out why was Sarawak’s interests being dismissed as if the state “does not matter” to Putrajaya.
Arun also urged Teo and Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak to hold an emergency meeting in Kuching, with state NGOs to listen to feedback and concern about the Jawi lesson issue, with similar meeting in Sabah as soon as possible. — DayakDaily
