In the Sungai Limau by-election, Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced allocation of more than RM2 million for 3 Chinese national type primary schools.
DAP welcomes the BN government’s change of heart on the issue of allocation for the Chinese schools.
On September 24, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir had said that the Kedah state government will not entertain any requests from the Chinese schools. He said he cannot neglect supporters who have supported the BN government and that Kedah’s majority population is Malays.
I had criticized him for discriminating against and punishing the Chinese voters and called on him to stop practicing politics of vengeance. Yet he had on Oct 5 maintained his position.
It is obvious to all that BN’s u turn on the issue of allocation to Chinese schools is due to its political need as BN is eager to solicit support from the 1800 Chinese voters who will be voting in the Sungai Limau by election.
In today’s Chinapress Daily, MCA President Datuk Chua Soi Lek was quoted to say that the allocation of RM 1 million to SRJK © Aik Min which has 15 students is a “huge test” for the Chinese community.
He said if the Chinese voters accept the money and yet do not support BN, then they cannot expect to get allocations in future.
Chua’s statement has clearly shown that the BN government is not committed to fair and equal treatment of Chinese schools.
If the BN government is committed to fair and equal treatment for the Chinese schools, it should make regular allocations to the Chinese schools according to need, and not only announce allocations during general and by elections.
A fair government will never punish the voters and what Chua Soi Lek said is no different from what Mukhriz said before – that the BN government’s assistance to Chinese schools is hinged on their support for BN.
Chinese voters in Sungai Limau state constituency must not succumb to such politics of threat, revenge and discrimination of the BN government.
I call on the Chinese voters to vote PAS candidate Mohd Azam Abdul Samat so as to send a clear message to the BN government that while they welcome allocations for Chinese schools, they will not be cowed by BN ‘s politics of threat, revenge and discrimination.