Press Statement by Carolyn Khor, Ketua Komunikasi Wanita Keadilan dated 22 December 2015
RM50 million slash for Chinese schools nationwide is discriminatory
MCA should be ashamed of themselves for supporting the RM50 million slash for Chinese schools nationwide ever since the 2013 general election. Heng Seai Kie should know that the allocation comes from the taxpayers not BN, and there is no excuse to penalise Chinese voter’s children just because the electorate wanted a clean and fair government.
If slashing 50 percent funding to Chinese schools is realistic like she said, then how realistic can it be when only BN voters pay taxes? It is simply low to suggest that it is realistic for Chinese children to suffer just because of incompetent politicians like herself and MCA who support the BN government’s decision to do so. As a BN component party, MCA should have protested against the RM50 million cut.
With dwindling support for MCA in the Dewan Rakyat, it is clearly a sign from the community that MCA is no longer relevant. As revealed by Heng, 15 percent Chinese voted for the opposition. What has MCA done for the 15 percent? Unfortunately, what the 15 percent Chinese received was also the RM50 million reduction in funds to schools.
This is not the way to punish patriotic citizens who voice their dissatisfaction though the ballot box. Withholding funds or slashing financial allocations is blackmail and blaming the electorate for exercising their rights. If funds can be used as a means to win votes, then how is it not considered bribery? MCA should not promote bribery.
Fishing votes by promising goodies has become the norm in Malaysia. It is an unhealthy practise that should not be encouraged.
That said, the RM50 million allocated to 1,692 Chinese schools pales in comparison to the RM1.1 billion allocated to the PM's department.
Why are Chinese schools being discriminated against? After nearly 60 years after Merdeka, the allocation is a measly RM50 million and the Chinese are still being accused of being cheats, liars and pendatangs. What is MCA doing about it?
Sarawak does not need MCA to bribe them with goodies and false hopes. With the state elections near, will BN be using the RM2.6 billion to do programmes in Sarawak? Where is the RM2.6 billion?
Wanita Keadilan has always been wary of such lowly tactics used by the BN government. We also know the importance of a good education for children. Therefore, through our MPs in the Dewan Rakyat, we will continue to be vigilant and fight for every Malaysian’s needs and rights and especially for our future generations.
Carolyn Khor 许彩贞
Ketua Komunikasi Wanita Keadilan
Exco Wanita Pusat
Parti Keadilan Rakyat
