Stop making 'ridiculous' statements, MCA tells Ismail Sabri

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's logic to link the plan for more Chinese school teachers to racism is "ridiculous", said the MCA public services and complaints bureau. 

Its chairman Jason Teoh Sew Hock (pix) said the Rural and Regional Development Minister was “surely not thinking logically” when making the statement. 

He said it was the duty of Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon to ensure adequate teaching staff for all schools. 

“When there is a shortage of teachers at Chinese schools, it is plain reasonable and rational for Chong to endeavour for more deployment.

"We cannot understand how Ismail Sabri could arrive at such racist conclusions. 

“Despite using Chinese as the medium of instruction, the syllabus of Chinese schools is no different from national schools.  

“Furthermore, Chinese schools are never meant for Chinese students alone, but for all, regardless of racial background, just like national schools,” said Teoh, who is also MCA's central committee member in a statement on Friday. 

He added that this is a sharp contrast to the "Low Yat 2" proposed by Ismail Sabri, which is open for Malay traders alone. 

Teoh also advised Ismail Sabri to approach issues from a multi-racial viewpoint and stop making ridiculous statements such as “Chinese traders are profiteers” and “a Malay-only Low Yat 2”. 

“We are appalled at Ismail Sabri’s attempt to apply his race-centric thoughts onto the issue of Chinese schools and to accuse others of being racist.  

“His thinking is completely illogical, and this mentality of his must be discarded at once in order to become a true minister for all races,” said Teoh.