Last updated on 17 February 2013 - 03:53pm
By: Cindi Loo
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
KAJANG (Feb 17, 2013): Prime Minister Datuk
Seri Najib Abdul Razak today made attempts to have further commitments to the
Chinese speaking community by attending the Chinese New Year open house
organised by the United Chinese Schools Committees Association of Malaysia
(Dong Zong).
Dressed in the traditional red garb, Najib
arrived at the open house at 9.45am and was greeted by lion dance performances,
accompanied by ministers Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai as
well as MCA chairman Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
He then went on stage together with Dong
Zong president Dr Yap Sin Tian to wish the guests a Happy New Year, before
tossing the yee sang and writing the calligraphy.
This rare move was seen as a chance for
Najib to foster better relations with the Chinese community and woo voters as
the general elections is fast approaching.
Najib was expected to use this occasion as
the first Prime Minister to grace a Dong Zong event in 58 years to make
announcements reaffirming the government's stance to support mother tongue
education by announcing a full recognition of the Unified Examination
Certificate (UEC).
Yap said Najib's appearance has given Dong
Zong the opportunity to disregard previous labels of being an extremist and
anti-government pressure group.
"I have managed to highlight various
issues that concern the Chinese speaking community to him. He was listening
intently and promised to have another meeting with us," he said when met
with reporters.
He also said Najib had accepted Dong Zong's
invitation while acknowledging its various concerns, including a full
recognition of UEC, the approval of Chinese independent high schools at four
areas, and a review of the National Education Blueprint.
Dong Zong deputy president Chow Siew Hon
said the committee had expected no speech from Najib as he had personally
requested not to make announcements during his appearance at the open house.
"Just because there were no goodies
announced today, does not mean there will be none at a later date," he
said, adding that Najib's appearance symbolises a good start.
Meanwhile, DAP leaders led by DAP
parliament chief Lim Kit Siang arrived at 11am, while PKR de-facto leader Datuk
Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived at 11.30am to a rousing applause and cheers from
supporters. Anwar then proceeded to have a small walkabout around the Dong Zong
headquarters before leaving at 12.20pm.
Approached by reporters later, Lim said
although Najib has made this a historic occasion, it was not followed up with
any announcements.
"The Chinese speaking community have
been waiting for a concrete announcement affirming support for mother tongue
education, including the recognition of UEC. But Najib did not bring any. It
was a great 56 years of disappointment," he said.
（来源：theSun-ePapaer）
