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The introduction of Khat into vernacular schools is an attempt to introduce Islamic elements into them. Khat is the camel’s nose of Islamization. Following Khat comes teachers of Khat, expected to be Islamic school graduates. Now, at last, religious graduates will get into non-religious schools. Always, they have been absorbed by national schools.
Even when it is no longer compulsory but optional, it does not change the hidden agenda of undermining vernacular schools.
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https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/487652
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The khat controversy, like volcanic lava, has either wreaked destruction or enlivened dying things, depending on whom you talk to.
For some, a mountain of stifling debris has been added to Malaysia’s complicated race relations. For others, there’s a new shoot of life in a freshly fertilised soil.
So who are the winners and losers?
Winner: Distraction
This word, when separated from politics, almost loses its usefulness. In the case of the khat debate, it is the clear winner, for the controversy came against the backdrop of a series of events that has gripped the so-called New Malaysia.
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Loser: Trust
The candour with which the fear of a different culture and language is expressed means Malaysians have given up what little trust they have of “the other”. Despite the claims of a new Malaysia, we are still stuck in our little cocoons, convinced that there are attempts at cultural colonisation in the age of the internet, where the phrase has lost its sting.
Winner: The right wing
Whether they live in the gated comforts of Hartamas or behind the sticky walls of a mechanic’s shop in Ipoh, right-wingers have been given a new lease of life. We have seen banners carried by one-man “NGOs” with names as suspicious as some Bumi-certified company names and statements written entirely in symbols that practically spray mandarin juice into our eyes.
Loser: DAP
DAP has been in the sort of fix that is perhaps the mother of all dilemmas in its 11 years or so of being in the good books of its Chinese supporters. Accept khat in vernacular schools and damnation awaits from “we who voted for you”. Reject khat and your alleged pretensions to openness are confirmed.
Winner: Khat
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Loser: Jawi
While khat is a specialised field which appeals to those who appreciate calligraphy, Jawi, once the main script of the Malay-speaking world and an important aspect of the language, appears to have become collateral damage.
Groups have suddenly surfaced, claiming to defend Malay history with a narrative that goes back to the day the first Proton was rolled out. They say Jawi is not part of the Malay language and have practically called for the banishment of a script that could have opened them to a side of the Malay world’s liberal past they never knew.
To these groups, perhaps Jawi should be relegated to yellow packets in supermarkets to allay the fears of fussy Muslims who love noodles.
This list is not exhaustive. But here we are, closing another noisy chapter in contemporary Malaysian history, ready as ever for the next debate. Malaysia boleh!
Abdar Rahman Koya is editor-in-chief of FMT.
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2019/08/09/winners-and-losers-in-khat-row/
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Dong Zong, Jiao Zong once again say ‘no’ to khat in primary schools
PETALING JAYA: Chinese educationist groups Dong Zong and Jiao Zong have once again trained their guns on the government’s decision to introduce a chapter on khat in the Year 4 Bahasa Melayu syllabus in schools next year.
The groups, along with 10 other Indian and Chinese-interest groups had earlier signed a statement calling for the deferment of the decision to introduce the chapter on the Malay-Arabic calligraphy.
Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching later said a consensual decision was reached after a meeting with the 12 groups where they welcomed the decision to introduce khat.
In a statement today, Dong Zong and Jiao Zong, collectively known as DZJ, said the decision on khat does not ease the concerns of the Chinese and Indian communities as there are elements of religion involved.
“That is why Dong Jiao Zong stands firm that this implementation (of khat) in national primary schools must be cancelled.”
They also agreed with the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism that teaching khat may contravene Article 12(3) of the Federal Constitution.
Article (12)(3) states that no person shall be required to receive instruction or take part in any ceremony or act of worship of a religion other than his own.
DZJ said the khat calligraphy is closely related to Islamic teachings as it uses verses from the Quran.
“So introducing khat in vernacular schools does not only have elements of religion but is also inappropriate.”
They also claimed studies and some academics maintain that khat is used for Islamic preaching. As such, they said it is not right for non-Muslims to be forced to learn khat.
“Malaysia is a secular country and even though Islam is the official religion, citizens have the freedom to practise their faiths.
“Any implementation that has elements of religion in vernacular schools goes against the Federal Constitution.”
Any proposed policy change, they added, needs to be appropriate with the diversity of races and religions in Malaysia.
Despite criticism on the decision to implement khat, Education Minister Maszlee Malik today said khat would still be introduced. It will also be up to teachers to decide how they want to teach it.
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It is apparent that many people reject the introduction of khat into vernacular schools as a topic of study.
To make it compulsory makes it that much harder to swallow.
Not consulted at all, DAP grassroot members have felt betrayed, confused and enraged. DAP leaders have been far from reassuring and it is likely that they will toe Mahathir’s line but cover up their obeisance with words like “we will discuss it with him”.
Those who lambasted the MCA for betraying the Chinese now discover a new DAP, one that will also betray the Chinese.
We who voted for PH in the belief that it promotes a New Malaysia that is multi cultural and multi racial are beginning to see the re-emergence of Ketuanan Melayu. Umno is gone from the government but the new government seems to be no different. It’s Ketuanan Melayu through Khat in vernacular schools.
See here:
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Meanwhile, cockroaches have re-emerged from the sewers to tell me to balik Cina.
My only resort is to remind everyone of the words of wisdom of Marina Mahathir:
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Our disunity is more apparent than ever.
No thanks to the Minister of Education whom I consider to be Mahathir’s Revenge on those who objected to him (Mahathir) being the Minister of Education.
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Received via WhatsApp
UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE
Jawi = Arabic letters used to spell Malay words
Rumi = Roman letters used to spell Malay words
Bahasa Arab = Arabic letters used to spell Arabic words
Khat = Arabic letters used to write Arabic words in calligraphic style, depicting verses from the Quran
Khat is not Jawi
Khat is not Bahasa Malaysia
Khat is not Bahasa Melayu
Khat is not even daily-use Arabic
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weehingthong 
It is payback time for the failed experiment with the Chinese abacus.
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