1_Malaysia

Monday November 9, 2009 1Malaysia allows for different schools By NG CHENG YEE PETALING JAYA: The existence of different types of schools is allowed under the 1Malaysia concept as the country has a multi-racial society, said MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat. He said the Chinese community supported the 1Malaysia concept but the nation must also recognise that there was more than one race living in this country. Well done: Ong speaking to Lim Yik Soon, 12, a student of Indian-Chinese parentage from SRJK(C) Chew Han, Air Panas, Setapak, while attending a classical Chinese recital contest at Stadium Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur Sunday. “Under the 1Malaysia concept, there is room for the co-existence of people from different races and the existence of vernacular schools,” he said at the 73rd anniversary celebration of SJK (C) Chen Moh here yesterday. Ong also complimented the community’s effort to develop Chinese education in the country by raising funds for these schools. “The community should practise its right as taxpayers to fight for reasonable allocation from the Government, its agencies and elected representatives. “They must also ensure that the allocation distribution mechanism is transparent,” he added. Later, at the 80th anniversary celebration of SJK (C) Damansara, Ong said the existence of Chinese and Tamil schools was not a barrier to nation-building. “Students from Chinese schools are now in high demand not only in Asia but also in Europe because of their proficiency in Mandarin, which is widely spoken after the English Language,” he said.