PETALING JAYA: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic) has hit out at Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek for not directly addressing the issues related to Chinese vernacular schools (SJKC) in Parliament.
The Ayer Hitam MP expressed disappointment as the minister had completely avoided addressing the issues related to SJKC when it was raised in his debates earlier.
"At 5.10pm today (Nov 11), I was in the Dewan Rakyat, listening attentively.
"I did not interrupt, but when her time was almost up, I stood up and requested that the Education Minister respond to the issues I raised regarding Chinese vernacular education.
"Since Fadhlina took office as the Education Minister, I have repeatedly raised the issue of SJKC in Parliament.
"This time, the Education Minister did not even touch on any of the SJKC issues I brought up, and this is truly disappointing," he said in a Facebook post on Monday (Nov 11).
As a Federal lawmaker, Dr Wee said there was nothing wrong for him to raise the issue related to Chinese vernacular schools.
"Let’s not forget, Pakatan Harapan received significant support from Chinese voters in the last election. Is this the reward the Chinese community is getting?
"Why is it that issues regarding Chinese vernacular schools, which have been debated by MPs in the Parliament, are not being explained by the minister in Dewan Rakyat?
"In order to disclose data or explain policies, it would only take one to two minutes, why is that so difficult?" asked Dr Wee.
Dr Wee said that the subject of Chinese vernacular education is notably absent from parliamentary discussions, particularly from the Education Minister. He hopes that more MPs will speak out and demand that the Minister give attention to this matter.
"Let’s not allow the Minister to continue disregarding this issue. SJKC, Indian vernacular schools (SJKT), government-aided religious schools, and missionary schools are part of the country's national education system. Does the government intend to deny and marginalise them?" said Dr Wee.
He also posed again the same questions he raised during the 2025 Budget debate related to Chinese vernacular education.
"How much is allocated for vernacular schools in 2024, and what about the allocation for 2025? Many stakeholders have called for the government to disclose this information.
"Prior to 2023, details of allocations from the Education Ministry were made public. Why was this information withheld this year?" asked Dr Wee.
He also asked the Education Ministry whether "Donate and Build" is a new policy initiated by the government for SJKC, and asked the ministry to provide its justification.
"What s the status of the 10 new schools and the six relocated schools approved before 2017 by the Education Minister?
"Particularly, SJKC Kuek Ho Yao and SJKC Sim Mow Yu, where the building committees already have sufficient funds, yet the Education Ministry has not granted approval," said Dr Wee.
