KUCHING: Seni Khat Action Team (Sekat) hopes to hold the National Language Congress in the city here next month.
Its secretary Arun Dorasamy (pix) said the inaugural congress will discuss issues relating to the national language as well as the Khat and Jawi issue.
“The exact date and further details will be announced as soon as possible. The congress will discuss in detail on the Jawi and Khat to be taught in all primary schools in the country, as well as the importance of the national language.
“Sekat, and Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Jawi Learning Special Committee, has answered most of the enquiries made by Sarawak non-governmental organisations (NGOs) attending this meeting,” Arun told reporters after chairing the meeting here yesterday.
Among the Sarawak NGOs present at the meeting were Sarawak Association For Peoples’ Aspiration (Sapa), United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) Sarawak, Dayak Rights Action Force, Kuching Indian Association, and the Malaysia Chinese Language Council.
A representative from Malaysia Chinese Language Council, Phung Teck Seng said Kuching was chosen to host the congress because Sarawak was known for its religious and racial harmony, unity and tolerance, compared to the peninsula.
He said the aim of the congress was also to include Sarawakians in discussions on federal policies as most times, such deliberations were only done in Peninsular Malaysia.
“So I think it is important for us to hear from Sarawak NGOs and its people on the issue of national language, particularly the Jawi issue,” said Phung.
Meanwhile, Dong Zong Sarawak president Dato Vincent Lau hoped that the congress would inculcate among Sarawakians an appreciation of the national language as the language of unity.
“I believe during this congress, we will discuss issues relating to the national language in particular, and maybe the issue of Jawi (lessons in schools) to be discussed and deliberated, plus other things.
“But the aim at the end of this congress is to ensure that the national language is respected and liked by everybody, and becomes the language of
all the races apart from the Malays.
“I understand that this (congress) will be reflected to the authorities so that they will notice and take note of the aspirations of the people in Sarawak,” he said. — The Borneo Post
