THE recent Federal Court’s ruling on the constitutional right to mother tongue education is a victory for vernacular schools and the nation’s multi-stream education system, and by extension, a triumph for Malaysia as a multicultural country, said the MCA.
Its secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon said the ruling by the Federal Court on Tuesday means that this case which began in 2019 to challenge the status of Chinese and Tamil primary schools has reached a successful conclusion for vernacular schools.
"The decision also means that the earlier judgements by the High Court and Court of Appeal have been upheld, and therefore, the use of mother tongue as the medium of instruction in Chinese and Tamil primary schools adheres to the Federal Constitution.
"This ruling is a victory for everyone. Via judicial procedures, citizens from all ethnic groups will have a clearer comprehension of our multicultural society and multi-stream education as envisioned for our nation by our nation’s founding fathers," he said in a statement.
On Tuesday, the Federal Court ruled that vernacular schools are constitutional in a majority two-one decision, dismissing the appeal of two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which sought to declare that the use of Chinese and Tamil languages as the medium of instruction in vernacular schools goes against the Federal Constitution.
A three-member Federal Court bench chaired by Judges Datuk Mary Lim Thiam Suan denied a leave to appeal by the Islamic Education Development Council (Mappim) and the Coalition of National Writers' Association (Gapena), reported Sin Chew Daily on Tuesday (Feb 20).
"The court also provided a protective framework through legislation, to enable the development of Malaysia across the generations. Citizens have the independent choice to learn, teach and use their mother tongue.
"MCA hopes that all Malaysian compatriots, regardless of skin colour, religion, or background, will jointly safeguard Malaysia’s unique features of diversity.
"As one of the founding parties of our nation, MCA holds a serious view of any attempt to challenge or destroy our nation’s features of diversity.
"We remain committed to defending the rights and interests of all ethnic groups as conferred by the Federal Constitution, and as intended by our founding fathers and drafters of Malaysia’s highest law of the land," added Chong. - The Vibes, February 22, 2024
