Kenyataan Bersama Persekutuan Persatuan-Persatuan Lembaga Pengurus Sekolah Cina Malaysia (Dong Zong) , Gabungan Persatuan Guru-Guru Sekolah Cina Malaysia (Jiao Zong) dan Merdeka University Berhad (MUB)
23 Jun 2023
Sejak tahun 2019, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB merancang pembinaan Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna Dong Zong sebagai tapak pendidikan Cina untuk mempromosikan perkembangan pendidikan Cina dan pertukaran budaya dengan mengadakan pelbagai aktiviti pendidikan seperti pembelajaran dan latihan perguruan, kajian eksperimen pengajaran, latihan staf pentadbiran sekolah, seminar akademik, bengkel pengajaran pendidikan, penyemakan kertas jawapan peperiksaan UEC, aktiviti-aktiviti perkhemahan, persembahan, pameran dan lain-lain lagi.
Sepanjang 4 tahun ini, kerja-kerja perancangan pembinaan Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna Dong Zong, sama ada dari segi kejuruteraan atau kutipan dana turut berjalan rancak dan terarur. Pelbagai lapisan masyarakat sama ada orang ramai, sekolah, pertubuhan Cina, syarikat dan korperat turut memberi sokongan kepada kami. Oleh itu, ketiga-tiga organisasi Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB memutuskan majils pecah tanah akan diadakan mengikut jadual pada 24 Jun 2023.
Kerja-kerja persiapan majlis pecah tanah tersebut telah berjalan lancar dan teratur. Tapak majlis juga siap disediakan pada ketika ini. Jemputan kepada parti-parti politik, wakil-wakil persatuan dan penderma mendapat respon yang hangat dan pihak sekretariat telah juga dimaklumkan akan kehadiran para jemputan berkenaan.
Majlis pecah tanah bagi pembinaan Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna Dong Zong akan berjalan mengikut atur cara yang dijadualkan.
Atur Cara Majlis Pecah Tanah
Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad
June 23, 2023
The “Dong Zong Chinese Education Multi-Purpose Complex” was initiated by Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad in 2019 as a bastion for Chinese education consolidation and the uphold of cultural interaction; the expected educational activities to be organised in the complex include teacher education, pedagogical experiment studies, MICSS administrators’ trainings, academic forums, teaching workshops, apart from UEC paper marking, camps, performances, exhibitions of sorts, etc.
For the past three to four years, the preparatory work for the construction of the complex has been ongoing in full swing and anticipated order. Enthusiastic supports inundated from the general public to institutions, Chinese associations, private companies and enterprises. As such, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad the Three Institutions have decided that a groundbreaking ceremony to be held on 24th June 2023.
In fact, relevant preparation for the groundbreaking ceremony has been carried out smoothly and orderly. For the time being, the event location has been decorated as planned and the organiser likewise has received confirmation of attendance from various political parties, Chinese association delegates, monetary donors, Chinese education lovers and supporters around the country. Therefore, it is decided and notified that the ceremony to be held accordingly.
In short, the groundbreaking ceremony of the “Dong Zong Chinese Education Multi-Purpose Complex” will be held as scheduled below.
Kenyataan Bersama Persekutuan Persatuan-Persatuan Lembaga Pengurus Sekolah Cina Malaysia (Dong Zong) , Gabungan Persatuan Guru-Guru Sekolah Cina Malaysia (Jiao Zong) dan Merdeka University Berhad (MUB)
23 Jun 2023
1. Adakah MUB hanya merupakan pemegang amanah tanah dan bukannya pemilik tanah? Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB ingin menegaskan bahawa lot tanah bernombor geran H.S.(D) 6412 dan seluas 8.514 ekar yang terletak di Bandar Kajang, Selangor tersebut telah dipinda milik kepada MUB oleh “Pertubuhan Pemegang Amanah Sekolah Hwa Chiau, Kajang” pada tahun 1988 dan ini mendapat liputan meluas media massa ketika itu. MUB memiliki lot tanah tersebut dan merupakan satu-satunya pemilik tanah yang sah. Ini turut disokong oleh kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh “Pertubuhan Pemegang Amanah Sekolah Hwa Chiau, Kajang” pada 15 Jun 2023 bahawa “Lot tanah seluas 8.5 ekar telah dipinda milik kepada MUB pada tahun 1988 untuk tujuan pendidikan Cina. MUB ialah pemilik tanah tersebut.”, ini merupakan bukti sokongan yang menunjukkan MUB ialah pemilik tanah tersebut dan bukan pemegang amanah tanah.
2. Bagaimanakah hak Dong Zong dalam pengendalian dan pengurusan lot tanah ini? Pada 1 Jun 1991, Dong Zong menandatangani kontrak dengan MUB untuk menyewa tanah tersebut. Kontrak sewa tanah itu menyatakan Dong Zong mempunyai hak penuh ke atas penggunaan dan pengurusan tanah tersebut. Tempoh sewaan tanah itu ialah 30 tahun, sewa tahunan ialah RM 1.00. Penyewaan tanah itu boleh dilanjutkan 30 tahun lagi selepas 30 tahun. Sebelum kontrak sewaan tanah tamat pada tahun 2021, Dong Zong dan MUB menandatangani semula kontrak untuk menyewa tanah tersebut, yang turut memberikan Dong Zong hak penuh ke atas penggunaan dan pengurusan tanah itu selama 30 tahun, sewa tahunan masih RM 1.00, dan sewaan boleh dilanjutkan 30 tahun lagi selepas 30 tahun. Selain itu, MUB juga bersetuju dengan pembinaan Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna oleh Dong Zong. Oleh itu, MUB bersama-sama dengan Dong Zong dan Jiao Zong menjalankan perancangan pembinaan kompleks itu sejak tahun 2019.
3. Siapakah yang menubuhkan “Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd”? Pada 20 Oktober 1993, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong, MUB dan Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Sekolah Menengah Persendirian Cina dalam mesyuarat bersamanya telah meluluskan cadangan untuk penubuhan Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd. Pengerusi Dong Zong Quek Suan Hiang, Pengerusi Jiao Zong Sim Mow Yu dan Pengerusi MUB Foo Wan Thot pada masa itu merupakan pengasas syarikat tersebut dan mengamanahkan Firma Perakaunan milikan Chiew Soh Eng untuk mengendalikan urusan permohonan pendaftaran syarikat itu agar seterusnya melaksanakan penubuhan sebuah institusi pengajian tinggi di masa hadapan.
Pada 26 Februari 1994, mesyuarat keempat jawatankuasa kerja Jiao Zong penggal ke-42 dalam Agenda 4.6 mesyuaratnya telah mengesahkan pemohonan pendaftaran Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd oleh Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB yang ditandatangani oleh Quek Suan Hiang, Loot Ting Yee dan Foo Wan Thot masing-masing mewakili Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB. Pihak berkuasa secara rasminya meluluskan pendaftaran Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd pada 23 Mac 1994.
4. Siapakah yang menubuhkan Kolej Universiti New Era? Pada 27 Ogos 1994, Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd mengemukakan permohonan penubuhan kolej kepada pihak pendaftar sekolah dan guru di bawah Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM). Atas usaha syarikat itu dan pelbagai pihak, di samping keadaan semasa yang kondusif, maka penubuhan Kolej New Era telah diluluskan secara prinsipnya dalam surat KPM bertarikh 13 Mac 1997 tetapi mesti memenuhi semua syarat yang ditetapkan oleh KPM dalam tempoh satu bulan. Selepas mengendalikan semua urusan dan memenuhi syarat-syarat ditetapkan, maka surat kelulusan rasmi penubuhan Kolej New Era bertarikh 28 Mei 1997 telah disampaikan oleh timbalan menteri pendidikan ketika itu Dr. Fong Chan Onn pada 11 Jun 1997. Permohonan pendaftaran Kolej New Era dikemukakan kepada Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Selangor pada 16 Jun 1997.
Pada 30 September 1997, Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Selangor menyampaikan surat kelulusan pendaftaran Kolej New Era bertarikh 25 September 1997 kepada Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd. Kolej New Era dibuka secara rasminya pada 1 Mac 1998.
5. Bagaimanakah struktur lembaga pengarah pada peringkat awal dalam Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd? Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB mengadakan mesyuarat untuk membincangkan penubuhan Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd pada 25 Ogos 1994 dan memutuskan setiap organisasi menghantar lima orang wakil selaku pengarah syarikat itu untuk merancang mesyuarat penubuhan syarikat itu. Maka pada 18 September 1994, wakil-wakil Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB mengadakan mesyuarat di Bangunan Universiti Merdeka dan Sekolah-Sekolah Menengah Persendirian Cina di Kajang untuk membincangkan penubuhan Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd. Mesyuarat itu memutuskan ketiga-tiga organisasi menghantar 15 orang wakil sebagai pengarah ex officio, iaitu:
Wakil-wakil Dong Zong: Quek Suan Hiang, Chua Kim Boon, Chin Choong Sang, Yap Sin Tian, Chiew Soh Eng. Wakil-wakil Jiao Zong: Sim Mow Yu, Ong Chiow Chuen, Loot Ting Yee, Lai Sin Siang, Chen Rong Liang. Wakil-wakil MUB: Foo Wan Thot, Ngeow Sze Chan, Yap Hong Oon, Lim Fong Seng, Lee Hing. Mesyuarat itu turut memilih 6 orang pengarah yang dipilih daripada kalangan penaja iaitu Tan Yew Sing, Yang Yun Gui, Goh Kean Seng, Khew Khing Ling, Kong Siw Taw dan Ding Nguk Kong. Akhirnya, 15 orang pengarah ex officio daripada tiga organisasi itu dan 6 orang pengarah individu yang dipilih membentuk lembaga pengarah Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd penggal pertama. Ahli-ahli lembaga pengarah eksekutif penggal pertama ialah:
Pengerusi: Quek Suan Hiang Naib Pengerusi: Lim Fong Seng Setiausaha: Yap Sin Tian Naib Setiausaha: Tan Yew Sing Bendahari: Kong Siw Taw Naib Bendahari: Lai Sin Siang Pengarah: Loot Ting Yee
6. Apakah perubahan dalam struktur lembaga pengarah Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd sejak tahun 1994? Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd ditubuhkan pada tahun 1994. Keahliannya terdiri daripada ahli-ahli organisasi dan ahli-ahli individu. Ia hanya mempunyai tiga ahli organisasi iaitu Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB. Keahlian individu terbuka kepada orang ramai. Walau bagaimanapun, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB sebagai pengasas Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd telah ditetapkan peranan utama mereka dalam Memorandum dan Artikel (M&A) syarikat itu, iaitu Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB masing-masing menghantar 5 orang pengarah yang merangkumi 71.4% daripada jumlah bilangan pengarah dalam lembaga pengarah syarikat itu. Sejak penubuhan syarikat itu, Pengerusi Dong Zong dan Pengerusi Jiao Zong dipilih secara automatik sebagai pengerusi dan naib pengerusi lembaga pengarah Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd, dan jawatan-jawatan penting lain kebanyakannya dijawat oleh wakil-wakil daripada ketiga-tiga organisasi Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB. Struktur dan operasi lembaga pengarah Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd telah berjalan lancar sejak penubuhannya manakala aktiviti-aktiviti di bawah bidang kuasanya, terutamanya pembinaan dan pembangunan Kolej New Era juga mendapat pencapaian yang baik. Akan tetapi, sejak pergolakan Dong Zong yang tercetus pada tahun 2013, Yap Sin Tian, Chow Siew Hon dan yang lain meminda Memorandum dan Artikel (M&A) Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd. Ini menyebabkan bilangan pengarah individu dalam lembaga pengarah melebihi bilangan wakil Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB. Dua tahun kemudian, Yap Sin Tian, Chow Siew Hon dan yang lain bukan sahaja tidak mahu meletakkan jawatan dalam Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd selepas mereka kalah dalam pemilihan semula Dong Zong, malah mereka meminda Memorandum dan Artikel (M&A) Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd, tidak mengembalikan jawatan pengerusi dan naib pengerusi lembaga pengarah syarikat itu kepada pengerusi Dong Zong dan pengerusi Jiao Zong. Mereka “menswastakan” syarikat itu dengan mengurangkan perwakilan Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB kepada masing-masing dua orang pengarah dan menjadikannya sejumlah 6 orang pengarah sahaja, dan sebaliknya menambah bilangan pengarah individu kepada seramai 29 orang. Ini menjadikan bilangan pengarah individu jauh melebihi bilangan wakil ketiga-tiga organisasi. dan menyebabkan segelintir individu menguasai aset awam pendidikan Cina. Ini bertentangan dengan hasrat asal penubuhan syarikat itu.
Berikut ialah senarai perubahan peratusan perwakilan Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB dalam lembaga pengarah Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd:
7. Adakah Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB membiarkan individu mengawal Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd? Pada 2 Januari 2016, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB masing-masing menulis surat kepada lembaga pengarah Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd sehari sebelum mesyuarat luar biasa Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd untuk membantah percubaan untuk memutarbelitkan sejarah penubuhan Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd dan menguasai lembaga pengarah syarikat itu melalui pengarah individu. Pada 19 Januari 2016, pengerusi lembaga pengarah Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd Yap Sin Tian membalas surat dengan menyatakan “Mengikut Memorandum dan Artikel (M&A) syarikat kami, penandatangan atau pengarah penggal pertama bagi Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd ialah Quek Suan Hiang (ahli perniagaan), Loot Ting Yee (guru bersara) dan Foo Wan Thot (ahli perniagaan).” “Oleh itu, kenyataan dalam surat anda bahawa Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB bersama-sama mengasaskan Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd adalah sangat mengelirukan dan sama sekali tidak munasabah dan tidak wajar.” Sehingga ini, lembaga pengarah Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd yang diketuai oleh Yap Sin Tian dan Chow Siew Hon secara terang-terangan menafikan fakta sejarah Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB sebagai pengasas kepada Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd, dan cuba menggunakan pengarah individu untuk menguasai aset awam, dan tindakan sebegini dijalankan secara terbuka dan tidak berselindung lagi.
Pada 19 Januari 2016, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB mengadakan sidang akhbar dan menyatakan bahawa ketiga-tiga organisasi itu tidak menerima resolusi mesyuarat luar biasa Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd yang diadakan pada 2 Januari 2016, serta menghantar watikah perlantikan 5 orang wakil bagi setiap organisasi itu melalui saluran undang-undang. Walaupun Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB telah mengambil langkah mahkamah untuk mempertahankan kedudukan ketiga-tiga organisasi dalam Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd, tetapi disebabkan struktur keahlian telah berubah, maka keputusan ahli telah menjadi kunci utama. Akhirnya, Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur pada 1 Ogos 2016, Mahkamah Rayuan Putrajaya pada 15 September 2017 dan Mahkamah Persekutuan pada bulan Januari 2018 telah menolak permohonan oleh ketiga-tiga organisasi.
8. Mengapa membina Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna Dong Zong? Aapakah kegunaannya? Sejak tahun 2019, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB merancang pembinaan Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna Dong Zong di tapak asal untuk melatih guru, menyemak kertas jawapan peperiksaan UEC, mempromosikan pendidikan Cina dan menjalankan pertukaran budaya. Pelbagai lapisan masyarakat sama ada orang ramai, sekolah, pertubuhan Cina, syarikat dan korperat turut memberi sokongan kepada kami. Kutipan dana dan perancangan projek berjalan rancak dan teratur manakala pelan bangunan juga telah diluluskan oleh Majlis Perbandaran Kajang.
9. Apakah sikap dan reaksi awal Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd dan Kolej Universiti New Era terhadap pembinaan Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna Dong Zong? Maklumat dan berita tentang pembinaan Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna Dong Zong, terutamanya berkenaan aktiviti-aktiviti kutipan dana mendapat liputan meluas media massa. Pada 25 Februari 2022, wakil-wakil pentadbiran Dong Zong telah membekalkan lokasi tapak pembinaan dan pelan-pelan pembinaan kompleks tersebut semasa bertemu dan berbincang dengan wakil-wakil pentadbiran Kolej Universiti New Era. Bermula pada April 2022, wakil yang dilantik oleh Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB telah beberapa kali berkomunikasi dengan wakil Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd. Pada 14 Mei 2022, satu mesyuarat rasmi telah diatur di antara pemimpin-pemimpin Dong Zong dan wakil-wakil lembaga pengarah Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd. Dalam mesyuarat rasmi itu, wakil Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd mencadangkan pnhyediaan ruang tambahan di kompleks itu untuk kegunaan Kolej Universiti New Era dan sudi menanggung sendiri kos tambahan berkenaan. Wakil Dong Zong dengan jelas menyatakan pada mesyuarat itu bahawa lembaga pengarah Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd harus mengembalikan struktur asal syarikat itu. Konsensus awal telah dicapai berkenaan penyediaan segara dokumen sewaan antara Dong Zong dan Kolej Universiti New Era.
10. Mengapakah Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd dan Kolej Universiti New Era mengubah sikap dan reaksi mereka terhadap pembinaan Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna Dong Zong? Pada 8 Julai 2022, Kolej Universiti New Era menyampaikan surat rasmi untuk meminta Dong Zong menambah ruang tambahan 40,000 kaki persegi di kompleks tersbut untuk tujuan pengajaran dan pembelajarannya. Demi pembangunan jangka panjang Kolej Uuniversiti New Era, kebajikan pensyarah dan pelajarnya, pengembalian kedudukan utama Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB dalam Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd dan bukannya diterajui oleh ahli-ahli individu, dan kerjasama untuk mencapai kepentingan paling besar dalam pembangunan pendidikan Cina, maka Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB melihat permintaan itu secara positif. Kedua-dua pihak telah berbincang berkali-kali tanpa ada sebarang keputusan muktamad, namun Kolej Universiti New Era membuat kenyataan tidak benar di Majlis Sambutan Tahun Baru Cina pada 19 Februari tahun ini, dengan mendakwa bahawa kedua-dua pihak telah mencapai persetujuan bahawa kolej universiti itu akan membina “Bangunan Nantah” setinggi 12 tingkat. Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB telah beberapa kali menulis surat kepada kolej universiti itu untuk meminta penjelasan tetapi tidak berjaya. Sebaliknya, Dong Zong menerima surat daripada peguam kepada kolej universiti itu yang menuntut pembinaan Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna dihentikan serta-merta. Ini amat tidak dapat difahami.
Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad June 23, 2023
1. Is Merdeka University Berhad the land trustee, but not the land owner? Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad reiterate herewith, the lot with an area of 8.514 acres located in Kajang (Hulu Langat, Selangor), land deed number H.S. (D) 6412, was donated to Merdeka University Berhad by Kajang Overseas School Property Trust in 1988. The news was widely covered by media back then which evidences Merdeka University Berhad owns and is the sole legal owner of the said lot (henceforth the Lot). Concurrently, the bequeathment was further reconfirmed by the Kajang Overseas School Property Trust in a public statement on 15th June 2023: Hereby in 1988 a lot with 8.5 acres is donated to Merdeka University Berhad for the purpose of vernacular Chinese education. Merdeka University Berhad is the owner of the said lot.” This strongly proves that Merdeka University Berhad is the owner of the Lot, only not the trustee.
2. What is the position of Dong Zong in the business management right of the Lot? On 1st June 1991, Dong Zong and Merdeka University Berhad signed a land contract on the said lot in which it was stated that Dong Zong can at its own disposal use and manage the Lot. The initial lease term is thirty years, at a yearly rental of RM1; upon expiry, the lease can be extended to another thirty-year term. In 2021, before the lease contract matured, Dong Zong and Merdeka University Berhad had resigned a rental agreement, similarly conferred Dong Zong to use the Lot with full discretion for another thirty years. The yearly rental is likewise RM1; upon expiry, another thirty years is extendable. In addition, Merdeka University Berhad also consented that a Multi-Purpose Complex to be constructed by Dong Zong. In actual fact, Merdeka University Berhad has cooperated with Dong Zong in the preparatory matters of the construction since 2019.
3. Who established Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Center (Non-Profit) Limited Company? On 20th October 1993, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad, including Chinese Independent School Working Committee convened a joint meeting and passed an agenda to establish the Non-Profit Company. It was initiated by Dong Zong president Quek Suan Hiang, president of Jiao Zong Sim Mow Yu and president of Merdeka University Berhad Foo Wan Thot, and Chew Saw Eng Accounting Firm was authorised for registration for the further bid of a college operation. On 26th February 1994, in agenda 4.6 of the fourth meeting among the 42th batch Jiao Zong executive members, it was documented clearly that Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad the three institutions co-applied the registration of Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Center (Non-Profit) Limited Company (henceforth Non-Profit Company). Moreover, it was respectively signed by the representative of Dong Zong Quek Suan Hiang, representative of Jiao Zong Loot Ting Yee and the representative of Merdeka University Berhad Foo Wan Thot. In 1994, the registration of the Non-Profit Company was approved officially on the 23rd of March.
4. Who established New Era University College? On 27th August 1994, the Non-Profit Company sent an operation application of a college to the School and Teacher Registration Unit of the MOE. On 13th March 1997, through unremitting effort and strong argument by the Non-Profit Company and other sectors, let alone the favourable conditions converged, an approval letter with requirements to be fulfilled within one month was issued by the MOE. On 11th June 1997, upon honour of all requirements and proactive effort, the then Deputy Minister of the MOE Fong Chan Onn handed personally the letter of approval for the operation of New Era College dated 28th May 1997 to the Non-Profit Company; on 16th June 1997, a college registration application was sent to the Selangor Education Bureau by the Non-Profit Company in compliance with the directive; on 30th September 1997, a registration approval letter for New Era College dated 24th September was issued to the Non-Profit Company by the Selangor state Education Bureau. On 1st March 1998, New Era College was formally open.
5. What was the preliminary Board Structure of Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Center (Non-Profit) Limited Company? On 25th August 1994, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad (henceforth the Three Institutions) met to discuss matters on the setup of the Non-Profit Company. It was decided in the meeting five members to be appointed directors from each of the three institutions respectively; they are to organise a grand meeting for the establishment of the company. On 18th September 1994, the representatives of the Three Institutions gathered in the “Merdeka University Berhad MICSS Kajang Administration Block” to discuss the establishment of the Non-Profit Company. Fifteen members from the Three Institutions were assigned as ex officio directors. They are as follows:
Dong Zong Representatives: Quek Suan Hiang, Chua Kim Boon, Chin Choong Sang, Yap Sin Tian and Chew Saw Eng Jiao Zong Representatives: Sim Mow Yu, Ong Chiow Chuen, Loot Ting Yee, Lai Sin Siang and Tan Eng Her Merdeka University Berhad Representatives: Foo Wan Thot, Ngeow Sze Chan, Ye Hong En, Lim Fong Seng and Lee Hing
Concurrently, six members brought forth from the sponsors’ decision were similarly forwarded in the list: Tan Yew Seng, Yong Yoon Koo, Goh Keat Seng, Khew Khing Ling, Kong Siw Taw and Ding Nguk Kong. Finally, the fifteen ex officio directors together with the six individual director members were mandated the 1st batch of the Non-Profit Company Board. Hot on the heels in the meeting on that day, the first batch of executive directors were elected:
President: Quek Suan Hiang Deputy President: Lim Fong Seng Secretary: Yap Sin Tian Deputy Secretary: Tan Yew Seng Treasure: Kong Siw Taw Deputy Treasurer: Lai Sin Siang Director: Loot Ting Yee
6. What changes have taken place in the Board Structure of Dong Jiao Zong Non-Profit Limited Company from 1994 until today? The Non-Profit Company established in 1994 was formed by both association members and individual members. Association membership comprises only three institutions, namely, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad; whereas individual membership is open to the general public. Nonetheless, the leading role of the Three Institutions was confirmed by the memorandum and articles of the Non-Profit Company structurally; that said, within the twenty-one Board members of the Non-Profit Company, the five members from each of the Three Institutions board (total: 15) stand the weightage strong of 71.4%. As it goes, since the establishment of the Non-Profit Company, the presidents of both Dong Zong and Jiao Zong are its immediate president and deputy president while other prominent posts are mainly assumed by members from the Three Institutions. Evidence shows the structure and operation of the Non-Profit Company Board have been progressing smoothly, not to mention its businesses and services; in particular, the advancement and development of the New Era University College which had shown gratifying results over the years.
Yet after the chaotic 2013 Dong Zong incident, Yap Sin Tian and Chow Siew Hon together with some others had for many times redrafted the regulations and articles, thus making the individual directors in the Board outnumbered that of the Three Institutions. Within two short years in 2015, Yap Sin Tian and Chow Siew Hon not only refused to step down from president and deputy president post upon losing in the reelection and returned the power to the then presidents of Dong Zong and Jiao Zong, but also in disguised privatised “Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre (Non-Profit) Limited Company” by decreasing the number of directors to two for each of Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad, thus turning the total to six in number. Contrarily, they multiplied the number of individual directors to twenty-nine. In this manner, the total number of individual directors far exceeded the total number of directors from Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad. Simply put, it resulted in ‘minor individuals owning the public property of Chinese Education’ which in fact defied its original intention.
The director board weightage change of the Three Institutions in the Non-Profit Company is shown in the following table:
7. Do Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad the Three Institutions allow public individuals to dominate the Non-Profit Company? On 2nd January 2016, prior to the opening of the special plenary meeting convened by the Three Institutions, the Three Institutions had separately submitted letters to the Non-Profit Company to file protest on the tamper intent of the Non-Profit Company led by Yap Sin Tian; Yap and others denied that the Three Institutions had initiated and set up the Non-Profit Company, let alone letting individual directors dominate the Board. On 19th January 2016, the then president of the Non-Profit Company Yap Sin Tian declared in his reply to the Three Institutions as such: “In accordance with the memorandum and articles of our company, the first signatories or first batch directors are respectively Quek Suan Hiang (businessman), Loot Ting Yee (retired teacher) and Foo Wan Thot (businessman).” “Therefore, the statement in your letter arguing that Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad co-established our company (Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Center (Non-Profit) Limited Company) is misleading, unwarranted and incorrect.” Since then, the Non-Profit Company led by Yap Sin Tian and Chow Siew Hon has publicly ignored the historical truth that Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad initiated and co-established the Non-Profit Company. Their intention was to ensure individual directors are at their behest to achieve the motif of grabbing public property as their own which went unabashed publicly.
On 19th January 2016, a joint statement was released by the Three Institutions positing that they firmly could not accept the decision approved on 2nd January 2016 in the special plenary meeting convened by the Non-Profit Company (led by Yap Sin Tian) and had submitted the letter of entrustment for the five representatives appointed by each of the Three Institutions through legal avenue. Notwithstanding the Three Institutions resorted to judicial means to safeguard their right in the Non-Profit Company, yet since the membership structure had been modified in such a way that the decision of the individual members being the crux, thus resulting in dismissal in petition made by the Three Institutions in the high court on 1st August 2016 and in the court of appeal on 15th September 2017, as well as the appeal application submitted in January 2018 in the Federal Court of Malaysia.
8. Why Chinese Education Multi-Purpose Complex was initiated to be constructed and what are its functions? The Three Institutions Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad initiated the construction of the “Dong Zong Chinese Education Multi-Purpose Complex”, that is, to build on the original location a complex for the purposes of teacher education and UEC paper marking, including the consolidation as well as promotion of Chinese education and uphold of cultural interaction. Enthusiastic supports inundated from the general public to institutions, Chinese associations, private companies and enterprises. Indeed, fundraising and construction planning are in progress and in single file, not to mention that the Kajang municipal council had approved its architectural design and drawing.
9．How was the response of the Non-Profit Company and New Era University College towards the construction of the Multi-Purpose Complex initiated by the Three Institutions? Ever since the Three Institutions Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad initiated the construction of the “Dong Zong Chinese Education Multi-Purpose Complex”, media have widely covered the news, in particular of its series fundraising events. On 25th February 2022, when the administration delegates from Dong Zong interacted with New Era University College administration representatives, relevant architectural design and drawing for the Multi-Purpose Complex were given to New Era University College. Since April 2022 onwards, the appointed delegates from the Non-Profit Company had exchanged views several times with the Three Institutions representatives and came up with a suggestion for both sides to have a formal interaction on May 14th. In that meeting, the Non-Profit Company representatives raised the issue of constructing additional space on the complex afforded by them to fulfill the academic needs of New Era University College. In response, representatives from Dong Zone clearly posited that the Non-Profit Company needed to proactively resume the initial structure of its Board. Moreover, preliminary awareness was reached on the expedite completion of a legal lease document between Dong Zong and New Era University College. 10. Why did the attitudes and response of both Non-Profit Company and New Era University College change on the construction of the Multi-Purpose Complex?
On 8th July 2022, New Era University College posted a letter requesting Dong Zong to additionally constructed 40,000 square feet of space for its academic use. As a matter of fact, the Three Institutions has always kept the long term progress and welfare of New Era University College’s teachers and students at heart, as well as hoping that the Non-Profit Company will persist its original intention by returning the leadership of Non-Profit Company to the Three Institutions, only not letting ‘minority lead the public property of Chinese Education’; it is, in a way to leverage the best interest of Chinese education together and proactively look into the needs of New Era University College. While the negotiation was unsettled despite a couple of meetings, New Era University College pronounced unfounded statement on 19th February 2023 during the Chinese New Year celebration activity, asserting both sides (The Three Institutions and New Era University College) had come to an agreement to construct a 12-storey “Nanyang University Complex”. Learning this, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad had written several times for clarification but to no avail. On both 19th May and 7th June 2023, incomprehensible letters were received by Dong Zong, demanding the immediate cease of the construction.
11. Does the Chinese Education Multi-Purpose Complex unlawfully encroach New Era University College’s land? As mentioned earlier, Merdeka University Berhad the land owner, from 1991 to 2021 had twice signed a thirty-year lease document in which Dong Zong was authorized to be the user and manager of the said Lot. New Era University College, a generated higher learning institution by the Non-Profit Company formed by the Three Institutions is genuinely the public property of Chinese Education. Attributed to the fact that the Non-Profit Company is dominated by minority with ulterior motives, New Era University College is hijacked so to say. Though no lease contract is signed, the Three Institutions has always kept Chinese Education at heart while looking forward to a solution; they in fact still allow New Era University College to use the land and blocks for education free of charge. Now that a private limited company (Non-Profit Company) making use of others’ land turns out to accuse the land owner of unlawful encroachment of its land. It is, honestly speaking, nothing but a defiance of jurisprudence.
Kenyataan Bersama Persekutuan Persatuan-Persatuan Lembaga Pengurus Sekolah Cina Malaysia (Dong Zong) , Gabungan Persatuan Guru-Guru Sekolah Cina Malaysia (Jiao Zong) dan Merdeka University Berhad (MUB)
7 Jun 2023
Kolej Universiti New Era Keluar Surat Guaman Menghalang Pembinaan Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna Dong Zong
Pada masa ini, semua kerja-kerja persiapan untuk pembinaan Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna yang dirancangkan lebih daripada 4 tahun oleh Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB telah siap dijalankan manakala majlis pecah tanah dijadual berlangsung pada 24 Jun. Ketika persiapan untuk majlis pecah tanah tersebut, Kolej Universiti New Era melalui peguamnya mengeluarkan surat guaman kepada Dong Zong pada 19 Mei dan mendakwa Dong Zong “menceroboh tanah secara tidak sah di sisi undang-undang” (unlawfully encroach) tanah Kolej Universiti New Era, dan menuntut Dong Zong “berhenti serta-merta” (Immediately cease and desist) dalam pembinaan komplek tersebut, jika tidak, tindakan undang-undang akan diambil.
Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB berasa terkejut dan hairan terhadap surat guaman yang dikeluarkan oleh Kolej Universiti New Era kerana dakwaan “menceroboh tanah secara tidak sah di sisi undang-undang” dalam surat itu adalah tidak menepati fakta, malah cuba menimbulkan kekeliruan. Oleh itu, adalah perlu untuk kami menjelaskan keseluruhan perkara secara terbuka.
Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB, dan Kolej Universiti New Era yang ditubuhkan bersama oleh tiga organisasi tersebut pada tahun 1994, adalah bertapak bersebelahan antara satu sama lain dalam lot tanah yang sama. Lot tanah itu merupakan tapak asal Sekolah Hwa Chiau, Kajang. Pada pertengahan abad yang lalu, Sekolah Hwa Chiau, Kajang ditutup kerana menghadapi beberapa masalah. Pada tahun 1978, lot tanah sekolah itu diserahkan kepada “Pertubuhan Pemegang Amanah Sekolah Hwa Chiau, Kajang” yang dianggotai dan diuruskan bersama-sama oleh lapan buah pertubuhan Cina utama di Kajang. Pada tahun 1988, lot tanah itu dipindah milik kepada MUB untuk kegunaan pembangunan pendidikan Cina. Pindah milik lot tanah itu daripada “Pertubuhan Pemegang Amanah Sekolah Hwa Chiau, Kajang” kepada MUB mendapat liputan meluas media massa pada tahun tersebut. Dokumen-dokumen yang berkaitan seperti geran tanah jelas menunjukkan lot tanah tersebut dimilik oleh MUB. Oleh itu, MUB selaku pemilik tanah yang sah di sisi undang-undang, telah bersama-sama dengan Dong Zong dan Jiao Zong untuk membina Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna, tetapi menerima surat guaman daripada Kolej Universiti New Era dengan dakwaan “menceroboh tanah secara tidak sah di sisi undang-undang”, ini amat tidak dapat difahami.
Pada hakikatnya, demi meneruskan hasrat asal penubuhan sebuah institusi pengajian tinggi, maka pada seawal tahun 1991, MUB telah mengamanahkan lot tanah tersebut dalam bentuk sewaan kepada Dong Zong. Bagi meneruskan cita-cita Nanyang University dan Merdeka University yang belum tercapai, maka Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB telah bersama-sama menubuhkan Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd pada tahun 1994 untuk memohon penubuhan Kolej New Era. Penubuhan Kolej New Era yang mendapat sokongan pelbagai lapisan masyarakat telah diluluskan pada tahun 1997 manakala majlis perasmian pembukaannya diadakan pada tahun berikutnya.
Secara ringkasnya, geran dan perjanjian sewa lot tanah tersebut mempunyai dokumen sah untuk membuktikan hak milik tanah dan hak penggunaan tanah. Oleh itu, MUB ialah pemilik tanah, Dong Zong ialah pemilik bangunan serta pengguna dan pengurus lot tanah tersebut, manakala identiti Kolej Universiti New Era pada asalnya ialah pengguna yang dimiliki dan diuruskan oleh ketiga-tiga organisasi itu. Identiti dan hubungan setiap pihak pada lot tanah tersebut amat jelas sekali.
Perlu diingatkan bahawa sejak penubuhan Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd pada tahun 1994 hingga 2010, Memorandum dan Artikel (M&A) syarikat itu menetapkan Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB bersama-sama mengetuai dan mengurus lembaga pengarah syarikat itu. Syarikat itu mempunyai sejumlah 21 orang pengarah yang terdiri daripada 15 orang pengarah daripada ketiga-tiga organisasi yang masing-masing menghantar 5 orang pengarah, serta 6 orang pengarah individu berkepakaran yang dipilih dalam dalam mesyuarat agung. Sejak penubuhan syarikat itu, Pengerusi Dong Zong dan Pengerusi Jiao Zong secara automatik dipilih sebagai pengerusi dan naib pengerusi lembaga pengarah Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd. Namun begitu, sejak pergolakan Dong Zong pada tahun 2013, Yap Sin Tian, Chow Siew Hon dan yang lain telah beberapa kali meminda (M&A) syarikat itu. Mereka bukan sahaja enggan berundur daripada jawatan pengerusi dan naib pengerusi lembaga pengarah untuk dikembalikan kepada pengerusi Dong Zong dan Pengerusi Jiao Zong, malah turut “menswastakan” Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd dengan mengurangkan perwakilan Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB kepada masing-masing dua orang pengarah dan menjadikannya sejumlah 6 orang pengarah sahaja, dan sebaliknya menambah bilangan pengarah individu kepada seramai 29 orang.
Akibatnya, bilangan pengarah individu jauh melebihi bilangan wakil ketiga-tiga organisasi. dan menyebabkan segelintir individu menguasai aset awam pendidikan Cina. Ini bertentangan dengan hasrat asal penubuhan syarikat itu. Walaupun Kolej Universiti New Era didominasi oleh individu, ketiga-tiga organisasi itu atas semangat pendidikan Cina, tidak mengutip sewa daripada Kolej Universiti New Era, dan masih membenarkannya menggunakan ruang asal kampusnya.
Sejak tahun 2019, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB merancang pembinaan Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna di tapak asal untuk melatih guru, menyemak kertas jawapan peperiksaan UEC, mempromosikan pendidikan Cina dan menjalankan pertukaran budaya. Pelbagai lapisan masyarakat sama ada orang ramai, sekolah, pertubuhan Cina, syarikat dan korperat turut memberi sokongan kepada kami. Kutipan dana dan perancangan projek berjalan rancak dan teratur manakala pelan bangunan juga telah diluluskan oleh Majlis Perbandaran Kajang.
Dalam masa tempoh itu, Dong Zong menerima surat guaman bertarikh 8 Julai 2022 daripada Kolej Universiti New Era yang bersebelahan dengan kami dan meminta Dong Zong menambah 40,000 kaki persegi ruang di Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna untuk tujuan pengajaran dan pembelajarannya. Kedua-dua pihak telah berbincang berkali-kali tanpa ada sebarang keputusan muktamad, namun Kolej Universiti New Era membuat kenyataan tidak benar di Majlis Sambutan Tahun Baru Cina pada 19 Februari tahun ini, dengan mendakwa bahawa kedua-dua pihak telah mencapai persetujuan bahawa kolej universiti itu akan membina “Bangunan Nantah” setinggi 12 tingkat. Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB telah beberapa kali menulis surat kepada kolej universiti itu untuk meminta penjelasan tetapi tidak berjaya. Sebaliknya, Dong Zong menerima surat daripada peguam kepada kolej universiti itu yang menuntut pembinaan Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna dihentikan serta-merta.
Atas kejadian serius tersebut, ketiga-tiga organisasi Dong Zong, Jiao Zong dan MUB bersama-sama menjemput pertubuhan-pertubuhan Cina utama ke “Mesyuarat Pembinaan dan Laporan Perkembangan Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna Dong Zong" pada 31 Mei untuk melaporkan dan menerangkan perkembangan perkara tersebut. Dalam sesi pertemuan tersebut, terdapat 23 buah pertubuhan sebulat suara menyokong pembinaan “Kompleks Pendidikan Serbaguna Dong Zong” mengikut rancangan asal. Kami berasa gembira dan akan melaksanakan pembinaan kompleks bangunan serbagunan tersebut mengikut prosedur yang profesional.
Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad
June 7, 2023
New Era University College Issues Cease and Desist Letter— Demanding the Hold Back of Chinese Education Complex Construction
Blueprinted by Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad over four years, the pre-construction preparation of the Chinese Education Multi-Purpose Complex has now drawn to a close and June 24 was fixed to hold its ground-breaking ceremony. While the preparatory work was in progress, a cease-and-desist letter was issued by New Era University College on May 19, claiming Dong Zong ‘unlawfully’ encroached its land and requested Dong Zong to immediately cease and desist the said construction or face lawsuits.
Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad (The three parties) are flummoxed and puzzled as the term ‘unlawfully encroachment’ of its land is unwarranted and misleading. As such, a clarification must be forwarded to expound the entire story.
As it goes, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad co-constructed their headquarter and neighboured New Era University College back in 1994. The whole lot was the original location of Kajang Overseas Chinese School. In the middle of the last century, the construction of Kajang Overseas Chinese School was halted attributed to impediment of sorts. Eventually the lot was passed over to and co-managed by “Oversea Chinese School Property Trust” formed by eight Chinese associations in 1978. In 1988, the ownership of the said lot was transferred to Merdeka University Berhad for the sole purpose of Chinese education. The bequeathment of the lot to Merdeka University Berhad as the official owner by the “Oversea Chinese School Property Trust” had received massive media coverage back then. Now that a letter alleging Merdeka University Berhad the legal owner of the lot— planning to co-construct a Chinese Education Multi-Purpose Complex with Dong Zong and Jiao Zong—of “unlawfully encroachment” of its land from New Era University College is indeed inconceivable.
As a matter of fact, with the mere aim of continuing establishment of a higher learning institution, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad had authorised Dong Zong to full discretion in the form of tenancy agreement in 1991. In 1994, to honour the unfulfilled aspiration of Nayang University and Independence University, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad co-established “Dong Jiao Zong Non-Profit Higher Learning Centre” to bid for New Era College. And New Era College was approved incorporation and established in 1997 under the blessings of all walks of life. The following year, New Era College held its opening ceremony.
In a word, the abovementioned land grant and tenancy agreement are legally protected assuring its legal status and right of use. Therefore, Merdeka University Berhad is the owner of this lot, whereas Dong Zong is the practitioner as well as manager of the land, and the status of New Era University College is formerly the user under the ownership and management of the mentioned three parties. In this vein, the status and relationship of them is ostensibly clear, let alone reasonable and non-confusable.
What needs to be pointed out at this juncture being, since the establishment of “Dong Jiao Zong Non-Profit Higher Learning Centre” from 1994 to 2010, its regulations demand that five director members should be assigned by the three parties governing the centre respectively with a total of 15 members. Besides, 6 professional members are to be elected individual director from the plenary meeting which totals up to 21 director members. Ever since the set-up of “Dong Jiao Zong Non-Profit Higher Learning Centre”, the presidents of both Dong Zong and Jiao Zong are its immediate president and deputy president. Yet after the chaotic 2013 Dong Zong incident, Yap Sin Tian and Chow Siew Hon together with some others had for many times redrafted the regulations. They not only refused to step down from president and deputy president post returning the power to the incumbent presidents of Dong Zong and Jiao Zong, but also in disguised privatised “Dong Jiao Zong Non-Profit Higher Learning Centre” by decreasing the number of directors to two for each of Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad, thus turning the total to six in number. Contrarily, they multiplied the number of individual directors to twenty-nine. In this manner, the total number of individual directors far exceeded the number of directors from Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad. Simply put, it resulted in ‘minor individuals owning the public property of Chinese Education’ which in fact defied its original intention. Notwithstanding now that New Era University College has been hijacked essentially, yet due to racial education spirit compassion, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad have never at anytime demanded rental from New Era University College while allowing it to continuously leverage its original space freely.
In 2019, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad initiated the construction of the Chinese Education Multi-Purpose Complex for the purposes of teacher education and UEC paper marking, including the consolidation as well as promotion of Chinese education and uphold of cultural interaction. Enthusiastic supports inundated from the general public to institutions, Chinese associations, private companies and enterprises. Now that fundraising and construction planning are in progress and in single file, not to mention the Kajang municipal council had approved its architectural design and drawing.
During that period in the foregoing, the neighbouring New Era University College posted a letter dated 8 July 2022, requesting Dong Zong to additionally constructed four million square feet of space for its academic use. While the negotiation was unsettled despite several meetings, New Era University College pronounced unfounded statement on 19 February during the Chinese New Year celebration activity, asserting both parties (The three parties and new Era University College) had come to an agreement to construct a 12-storey “Nanyang University Complex”. Learning this, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad had written several times for clarification but to no avail; now that a cease-and-desist letter was received, demanding the immediate cease of the construction.
As the circumstance is serious and urgent, Dong Zong, Jiao Zong and Merdeka University Berhad had convened major Chinese associations to attend the “Briefing and Convention of Dong Zong Chinese Education Multi-Purpose Complex” on May 31 in bid to brief and update the progress of the incident. During the exchange session, 23 associations seconded unanimously to carry out the ground breaking ceremony of the Complex. The three parties concerned were gratified and vowed to put the construction into practice as scheduled in a professional manner.
Kenyataan Dong Zong dan Jiao Zong 25 Februari 2023
Menyeru Kerajaan Memperincikan Peruntukan Setiap Aliran Sekolah Menyokong Pembangunan SMPC dan IPT Kelolaan Masyarakat
Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) mendapat peruntukan tertinggi dalam Belanjawan 2023 yang dibentangkan oleh YAB Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Keprihatinan kerajaan terhadap pembangunan pendidikan wajar disokong. Namum, belanjawan tersebut tidak memperincikan peruntukan kepada setiap aliran sekolah dan tidak menyebut sama ada Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (SMJK), sekolah mubaligh, Sekolah Menengah Persendirian Cina (SMPC) dan tiga buah kolej universiti bukan untung kelolaan masyarakat akan mendapat peruntukan. Kami berasa kecewa dengan keadaan sebegitu.
Dalam Belanjawan 2023, KPM merupakan kementerian yang mendapat peruntukan tertinggi berjumlah RM55.2 bilion, iaitu pengurangan sebanyak RM400 juta, berbanding dengan RM55.6 bilion yang diperuntukkan oleh kerajaan Perikatan Nasional pada Oktober tahun lalu. Namun, ia merupakan satu peningkatan sebanyak RM 2.6 billion, berbanding dengan RM52.6 bilion dalam Belanjawan 2022. Seperkara yang perlu diberi perhatian ialah peruntukan penyelenggaraan dan pembaikan pelbagai jenis sekolah kali ini telah berkurang kepada RM900 juta berbanding dengan RM1.1 bilion yang diumumkan oleh kerajaan terdahulu. Selain itu, masih tidak diketahui sama ada semua jenis sekolah akan mendapat peruntukan adil dalam belanja mengurus seperti air, elektrik dan caj pembentungan. Oleh itu, kami meminta kerajaan merujuk kepada Belanjawan 2019 dan 2020 dengan memperincikan peruntukan kepada Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK), Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC), Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT), Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (SMJK), Sekolah Mubaligh, Sekolah Berasrama Penuh, Maktab Rendah Sains MARA, sekolah-sekolah agama kelolaan masyarakat (sekolah agama rakyat/tahfiz/pondok), Sekolah Menengah Persendirian Cina (SMPC) dan Kolej-kolej Universiti bukan untung kelolaan masyarakat (Kolej Universiti New Era, Kolej Universiti Selatan dan Kolej Universiti Komunikasi Han Chiang).
Belanjawan 2023 mengumumkan pembinaan 7 buah sekolah baharu tetapi tidak melibatkan pembinaan SJKC dan SJKT. Ini amat mengecewakan. Pada hakikatnya, SJKC dan SJKT merupakan sebahagian daripada sistem pendidikan negara kita. Kerajaan bertanggungjawab untuk menyediakan tanah dan peruntukan kewangan untuk pembinaan SJKC dan SJKT yang baharu atau pemindahan sekolah-sekolah tersebut. Pembinaan sekolah hendaklah dijalankan secara sistematik mengikut demografi penduduk dan keperluan pendidikan dengan memasukkan peruntukan pembinaan sekolah dan penyediaan tanah ke dalam belanjawan agar sekolah-sekolah dapat siap dibina dan beroperasi dengan secepat mungkin.
Kerajaan Perpaduan yang diterajui oleh YAB Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim seharusnya bersikap adil dalam pengagihan peruntukan kepada semua aliran sekolah dan institusi pendidikan kelolaan masyarakat, dan tidak harus meneruskan amalan kerajaan Barisan Nasional mahupun Perikatan Nasional. Pada peringkat perbahasan belanjawan, kerajaan harus mengumumkan secara terbuka bagaimana peruntukan akan dikendalikan secara telus dan memperincikan pengagihan peruntukan untuk penyelenggaraan dan pembaikan pelbagai jenis sekolah dan institusi pendidikan, projek-projek pembinaaan sekolah dan sebagainya.
Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong February 25, 2023
Detailed Appropriation Listing for All Streams of Schools Expected— Development Support for MICSSs and Privately-run University Colleges
In Budget 2023 submitted by the Prime Minister cum Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim, appropriation is front-listed, showing that the government takes education as priority. Yet in Budget 2023, to our greatest regret, no detailed listing of appropriation for all streams of schools is noted, let alone the mention of national-type high schools, Catholic schools, MICSSs (Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary Schools) and the three private-run university colleges.
In this Budget, the Ministry of Education received the most appropriation (RM55.2 billion) though there is a decrease of RM400 million (RM55.6 billion) compared to the announcement made last October. Still, there is an increase of RM2.6 billion (RM52.6 billion). What needs to be noted here being, the maintenance and promotion fund for all streams of schools in this Budget decreases to RM900 million compared to the previous 1.1 billion proposed by the former government. However, whether electric and water as well as sewage appropriation will be released is yet to be clarified. In this respect, we anticipate the government to refer to Budget 2019 and 2020 in which the appropriation for national primary, vernacular Chinese and Tamil primary, national-type high schools, Catholic schools, full boarding schools, Mara junior science colleges, private religion schools, MICSSs and privately-run university colleges (New Era, Southern and Han Chiang University College of Communication) were listed in detail.
Disappointingly in Budget 2023, neither Chinese nor Tamil primary schools are among the seven new schools to be constructed. We reckon, vernacular Chinese and Tamil primary school are part of the national education system. Thus, be it appropriation, land grant, additional school construction or relocation, the government of the day is obliged to attend to it systematically responsive to demographic and educational needs. Therefore, in Budget 2023, the above-mentioned need to be incorporated so that fund and land needed for school construction will be addressed to ensure earlier completion and use.
We opine, the Unity Government led by the Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should not follow the old way of Barisan Nasional and National Alliance Party. In the face of appropriation towards all streams of schools and privately-run non-profited educational institutions, equal treatment is expected. Further, in the upcoming Budget debate, we wish to see how appropriation will be distributed in transparency, including publicised details on maintenance and promotion appropriation and school construction project, etc.
Membincangkan UEC Secara Rasional Dari Segi Akademik Menyeru Pemberian Peruntukan Kepada Institusi Pendidikan Bukan Untug
Dalam sesi soal jawab di Parlimen baru-baru ini, Menteri Pendidikan YB Fadhlina Sidek berkata pengiktirafan UEC (Sijil Peperiksaan Bersapadu Sekolah Menengah Persendirian Cina) bukan merupakan satu keutamaan dan Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) hanya menyalurkan peruntukan kepada kategori institusi pendidikan kerajaan dan bantuan kerajaan sahaja, serta KPM tidak memiliki sebarang obligasi untuk menyalur peruntukan kepada Sekolah Menengah Persendirian Cina (SMPC). Dong Zong berpendapat kenyataan Menteri Pendidikan tersebut mengabaikan sumbangan institusi pendidikan bukan untung dan tidak membincangkan pendidikan SMPC dan UEC secara adil dan berfakta.
Pertama sekali, kami ingin mengingatkan pihak berkuasa berkenaan bahawa kerajaan persekutuan telah pertama kalinya dalam sejarah mengumumkan peruntukan kewangan kepada SMPC dalam Belanjawan 2019. Ini merupakan dasar murni kerajaan yang memperakui usaha proaktif rakyat untuk membantu negara melahirkan bakat generasi muda. Sebenarnya, tidak kira parti mana yang menjadi kerajaan, belanjawan tahunan selanjutnya sehingga kini tetap meneruskan peruntukan kewangan kepada SMPC. Oleh itu, adakah kenyataan Menteri Pendidikan tersebut bermakna kerajaan baharu tidak akan memberi peruntukan kewangan lagi kepada SMPC dan sekolah-sekolah agama swasta bukan untung dalam Belanjawan 2023 akan datang?
Pada tahun 2018, Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia telah menubuhkan Pasukan Petugas Dasar Unified Examination Certificate (PPDUEC) dan mengambil beberapa tahun untuk mengumpul maklumat dan berbincang dengan ahli-ahli akademik dan pertubuhan-pertubuhan bukan kerajaan, untuk menyediakan laporan kajian. Memandangkan banyak sumber telah dilaburkan dalam usaha itu, maka laporan PPDUEC harus diumumkan dan dijadikan asas perbincangan lanjutan, barulah ini merupakan cara yang munasabah dan bertanggungjawab.
Sama dan serupa dengan pentaksiran STPM, IB dan A-Level, UEC juga merupakan satu pentaksiran akademik. Oleh itu, pengiktirafan UEC merupakan isu akademik dan pendidikan. Semua pihak harus membincangkan isu tersebut secara rasional dan berfakta, dan janganlah memanipulasikan isu akademik itu sebagai isu politik dan perkauman.
Kewujudan dan pembangunan pendidikan SMPC selama ini bertujuan untuk membentuk kemahiran pembelajaran dan keupayaan peribadi pelajar, ianya memenuhi trend pembangunan pendidikan sedunia. Kurikulum pendidikan SMPC, termasuk mata pelajaran Sejarah. Mata pelajaran Sejarah SMPC digubal dengan merujuk kepada Dokumen Standard Kurikulum dan Pentaksiran yang dikeluarkan oleh Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia, dan menetapkan bahasa kebangsaan sebagai mata pelajaran wajib, selaras dengan Perlembagaan Persekutuan, Rukun Negara dan keadaan kepelbagaian pendidikan di negara kita.
Akhir kata, kami ingin menegaskan bahawa semua aliran institusi pendidikan bukan untung, termasuk SMPC, telah melahirkan berlibu-libu bakat untuk negara kita dan meringankan beban kos pendidikan negara yang begitu besar. Kerajaan seharusnya memperakui sumbangan rakyat dan menginstitusikan peruntukan kewangan kepada institusi-institusi pendidikan tersebut dalam belanjanwan tahunan, memberi diskaun ke atas bil utiliti seperti air dan elektrik, pengecualian atau potongan pelbagai jenis cukai, pengecualian pembayaran kepada Tabung Pembangunan Sumber Manusia dan sebagainya bagi mengurangkan beban ekonomi mereka dan menggalakkan mereka untuk terus menyumbang kepada negara.
Statement Released by Dong Zong February 18, 2023
UEC Should Be Rationally Reviewed from Academic Aspect Appropriation for Non-Profit Educational Institutions Urged.
The recent reply from the Minister of Education Fadhlina Sidek in the parliament revealed the recognition of the UEC is not a priority. She further informed appropriation was released merely to government schools and government-funded schools and systemised appropriation for independent Chinese secondary schools is not obliged. Dong Zong took it as an ignorance of the contributions of non-profit educational institutions and thinks it unfair towards MICSS education and the UEC issue since it is not considered as it stands.
To begin with, Dong Zong deems it important to remind the central government that in 2019, appropriation for MICSSs was historically included in its yearly Budget and it was the first time ever civilian effort in educational matter recognised. Since then, appropriation for MICSSs was released on yearly basis no matter which party was in power. Does the pronouncement made by the Minister of Education suggest no appropriation to be released to non-profit educational institutions such as MICSS, private religion schools and the like in the to-be-submitted Budget 2023?
We understand that in 2018, a special UEC task force (PPDUEC) formed by the MOE had spent years collecting materials and held discussion several times with educationists, including NGOs to finally formulate a report. Since immense resource had been consumed, we believe it rational and responsible only when the said report published and used as the basis for further assessment.
Likewise, STPM, IB and A Level, the UEC is an academic evaluation, thus the recognition of the UEC is an academic and educational issue. All social strata need to confine the matter to facts and study it rationally and academic issue should not be politicised and racialized.
Ever since the establishment of independent Chinese secondary schools, its major goal is to shape and mould students’ learning and competencies in alignment with the world education trend. MICSS curriculum, including the History subject, was designed observing the national education curriculum and assessment standard issued by the MOE as reference. In this vein, Bahasa Melayu the national language is accorded a compulsory subject which in actual fact is congruent with the Constitution, National Principles and multi-stream educational inherence.
As a last note, we hope the government in power will include all streams of non-profit educational institutions, including MICSS—which over the years had produced countless polymaths for the country while shouldering educational expenses—should be recognised, not to mention listing them in systemised appropriation, providing half-priced electricity and water, tax free or exemption, waiver of Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF), etc to relieve their economic burden in a bid to encourage continuous contributions.
