Why does Dong Zong oppose national education policies, including Jawi calligraphy?

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Dong Zong's Opposition to National Education Policies Rooted in Historical Disagreement and Perceived Racial Concerns

Dong Zong, the United Chinese School Committees’ Association, has historically expressed disagreement with national education policies, most notably including its opposition to the introduction of Jawi calligraphy in vernacular schools. This stance is not isolated to the Jawi issue; the organisation has also previously protested against the establishment of Vision Schools (Sekolah Wawasan). A key concern cited for this opposition, particularly regarding Vision Schools, was the perceived fear that Chinese students would be inadequately integrated or would excessively mix with students of other races.

The prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, characterized Dong Zong as a "racist" group, citing a pattern of consistent disagreement with government-implemented educational initiatives. He pointed out that Dong Zong's objections extend beyond the current Jawi calligraphy debate, referencing their past opposition to Vision Schools. The rationale provided for opposing Vision Schools was an apprehension about Chinese students interacting with Malay students, indicating a broader concern about racial mixing within the educational environment. This consistent opposition, according to Dr Mahathir, suggests a general unwillingness to accept policies enacted by the government.

Further elaboration on the Jawi calligraphy issue revealed that the decision to introduce it was made in 2012 by the previous administration, a time when Dong Zong did not publicly object. The current government, in contrast, is described as maintaining a more open policy, allowing various groups to express their views. Dr Mahathir also highlighted historical context, noting that romanised writing was introduced to aid non-Malays in achieving independence, as learning Jawi would have been significantly more challenging for them. He contrasted this with the necessity for Malays to learn Jawi for reading the Quran, framing the earlier consideration as a concession made in the interest of non-Malays.

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Why does Dong Zong oppose national education policies, including Jawi calligraphy?

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