CHINESE EDUCATION HERE TO STAY

WARM ..... Najib shaking hands with the people after opening SJK (C) Chung Hua Tudan, Miri.

By : ANTHONY JOSEPH

MIRI: The development of national type Chinese schools (SJKC) will not be neglected because Chinese education forms part of the national education system, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday.

In fact, he said, its wellbeing is provided for in the Education Act 1996, and the National Education Blueprint.

Malaysia is the only country outside China and Taiwan to have a Chinese education system, thus proving the government’s concern for the Chinese community, the prime minister said at the opening of SJK (C) Chung Hua Tudan, costing RM6 million, here yesterday.

“We consider Chinese Education as part of our education system. Therefore, Malaysians can make their choice whether to study at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) or SJKC.

“In other countries, there is no choice (in the education system) but in Malaysia, we adopt an open attitude.”

He added that the government’s commitment could be seen from the RM100 million allocated for SJKCs nationwide in recent years.

In response to deputy chairman of the Management Board of SJKC Chung Hua Tudan Datuk Seri Peter Chin’s request for government assistance of RM1 million for the construction of a new block to cater for increasing enrolment, Najib gave an affirmative response.

On the impending 13th general election, Najib urged the people to vote for peace and stability.

“It is important not to compromise peace and stability by letting it slip from our grasp. Hence, it is important for us to make the right decision to ensure that peace and stability will continue.”

He told the huge crowd present that peace and stability had enabled the government to give out BR1M, BR1M 2.0, and possibly BR1M 3.0 and BR1M 4.0 in future.

“The opposition came out with BERSIH 1, BERSIH 2 and BERSIH 3, but we help the people by giving BR1M and BR1M 2.0.

“Thus, our transformation policies are better than the opposition’s reforms. The people are now more confident that we have an agenda that is organised and systematic for our country.”

He said peace and stability in the country had also led to an encouraging national economic growth with Bank Negara announcing yesterday a growth rate of 6.4 per cent last year, which is among the highest in the world, higher than those recorded by the United States and European countries.

“This success is possible because we have peace and stability; and we have a government that can govern and lead our country based on our national transformation agendas which we are striving.” (BP)