Category: Education

To discuss the formation of an all-party united front of Members of Parliament to wage a campaign for the preservation of Chinese and Tamil primary schools

Opening statement by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Lim Kit Siang, at the meeting in Parliament House (Committee Room 2) on Saturday, April 13, 1974 at 10.30 am. to discuss the formation of an all-party united front of Members of Parliament to wage a campaign for the preservation of Chinese and Tamil primary schools

I have proposed this meeting and invited Members of Parliament, including Ministers and Senators, from the MCA, the MIC, the Gerakan , the Pekemas, the PPP, to discuss the formation of a united front of all interested Members of Parliament to campaign for the preservation of Chinese and Tamil primary schools.

The continued existence of Chinese and Tamil primary schools now hang in the balance, as all those who are sensitive to developments in this country have come to realise that at the rate things are going, it will not be long before Chinese and Tamil primary schools go the way of English primary schools – and cease to exist in Malaysia. Continue reading To discuss the formation of an all-party united front of Members of Parliament to wage a campaign for the preservation of Chinese and Tamil primary schools

To second the motion in the Dewan Rakyat to repeal Clause 21(2) of the 1961 Education Act to guarantee the continued existence, development and expansion of Chinese primary schools.

Letter to Tun Tan Siew Sin and Dr. Lim Chong Eu to second the motion in the Dewan Rakyat to repeal Clause 21(2) of the 1961 Education Act to guarantee the continued existence, development and expansion of Chinese primary schools.

I have given notice to the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat that I propose to move a motion calling for the repeal of Clause 21(2) of the 1961 Education Act when Parliament reconvenes on from April 15 to May 3.

I have also today written to the President of the Malayan Chinese Association, Tun Tan Siew Sin, and the President of the Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, Dr. Lim Chong Eu, whether they are prepared to second this motion. Continue reading To second the motion in the Dewan Rakyat to repeal Clause 21(2) of the 1961 Education Act to guarantee the continued existence, development and expansion of Chinese primary schools.

DAP calls for the restructuring of the Income Tax laws to increase tax rates on the rich and reduce tax incidence on the lower income groups

Speech by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at the Negri Sembilan 10th March 1974 at 10 a.m.

1. DAP calls for the restructuring of the Income Tax laws to increase tax rates on the rich and reduce tax incidence on the lower income groups.

One way to bring about greater equality in the distribution of income and wealth in the country is through the use of income tax laws, whereby those on the top income brackets should be heavily taxed to meet the costs of social services and amenities for the poor.

The income tax laws of Malaysia were first introduces by the British colonial government in 1947, and has not been reviewed or revised since then. Continue reading DAP calls for the restructuring of the Income Tax laws to increase tax rates on the rich and reduce tax incidence on the lower income groups

MCA Ministers must match their words with deeds

Speech by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a DAP Public Rally in Segamat on Sunday, 24th February 1974 at 9 p.m.

1. MCA Ministers must match their words with deeds

MCA Ministers and leaders are fond of making rosy promises and grand pledges which they have no intention of fulfilling.

Two weeks ago, at a Tankang MCA Chinese New Year reception, the Minister of Health and Selangor MCA Chairman Tan Sri Lee Siok Yew, asked the people to instantly report ant instance of unfairness or injustice by any public officer. Continue reading MCA Ministers must match their words with deeds

A third challenge to Dr.Lim Keng Yaik to declare his stand on the future of Chinese education in Malaysia

Speech by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a DAP Public Rally at Pusing, Batu Gajah, on Saturday, 16th February, 1974 at 8.00 p.m.

A third challenge to Dr.Lim Keng Yaik to declare his stand on the future of Chinese education in Malaysia

On 19th January at a public rally at Kampar, I called on Dr. Lim Chong Eu and Dr, Lim Keng Yaik of the Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia to declare their stand on Chinese education in Malaysia.

At the DAP public rallies at Kampar and Tanjong Rambutan on January 19 and February 2, I had twice challenged Dr. Lim Keng Yaik and Dr. Lim Chong Eu of Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia to declare their stand on the future of Chinese education in Malaysia. Both they have kept silent with a thousand tongues. Continue reading A third challenge to Dr.Lim Keng Yaik to declare his stand on the future of Chinese education in Malaysia

DAP proposes residential schools by the government to cater for children of estate workers

Message by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr.Lim Kit Siang, for the one-day seminar on the problems of estate labourers organized by the DAP Selangor State Estates Sub-Committee held at Klang DAP Branch on Sunday, 9th Sept. 1973 at 9 a.m.

DAP proposes the establishment of residential schools by the government to specially cater for children of estate workers

The Ministry of Education’s Murad Report on School Drop-outs made the following pertinent findings:

1. “The drop-out rate within the primary school years is substantially higher for Indians than the other two groups, more Indian youths drop out during their primary school years than do Malay or Chinese youths.” (p.19)

2. “For Indian youths, the finding of this study shows that they have, on the average, the lowest socio-economic status of the three communities and have a lower motivation than the Malays. As a result the rates of enrolment among Indians, for both age groups, are significantly lower than those of Malays and Chinese.” (p.26)
Continue reading DAP proposes residential schools by the government to cater for children of estate workers

DAP calls on all State Government and all State Development Corporations to be model employers

Speech by Opposition Leader and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr.Lim Kit Siang, at a public rally held at Nibong Tebal, Province Wellesley on 25th August, 1973 at 9p.m.

DAP calls on all State Government and all State Development Corporations to be model employers and ensure that workers in all industries in which they have participation are given affair living wage

In Malaysia’s drive to industrialise and woo foreign capital, the Malaysian government must not lose sight of the interests of the workers and the working class.

A proper and just balance must be struck between the capitalist profit motive on the one-hand, and the worker and the public’s interests on the others.

It is unfortunate that on many instances, the government’s industrialisation programme seems to give a blank cheque to foreign and local industries to maximise their profit margin, regardless of the exploitation suffered by the workers in terms of sweated wages or by the public consumers in terms of overpriced products in a captive or protective domestic market. Continue reading DAP calls on all State Government and all State Development Corporations to be model employers

DAP calls for increase of government expenditure for higher education

Speech by DAP Secretary-General, Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr.Lim Kit Siang, at the DAP Public Rally in Segamat, Johor on Sunday, 19th August 1973 at 9p.m.

DAP calls for increase of government expenditure for higher education to ensure that every Malaysian student who is qualifies get a place in University.

One of the biggest educational problems facing Malaysia today is the paradox where more and more Malaysian students, with the intelligence and qualifications, could not find places and opportunities for higher education on Malaysia.

Many of our youths, who have achieved excellent academic results in the Malaysian Certificate of Education, and who would have gone on to attain professional qualifications with distinction, are rotting away in their homes because they cannot get into pre-university or university classes. Continue reading DAP calls for increase of government expenditure for higher education

Alliance Government should prove its dedication to a multi-racial society

Speech by DAP Secretary-General and member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr.Lim Kit Siang, at the Fifth Anniversary Reception of the Batu Pahat DAP Branch at Chuen Hian Tin on Saturday, 4th August 1973 at 8p.m.

Call on the Alliance Government to take more positive measures in economic, educational, political and cultural fields to prove its dedication to a multi-racial society

In his last speech, the late Tun Dr.Ismail told the silver jubilee celebrations of the Federation of Malay Students Union that Government had always taken into consideration the “multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious” character of the nation when formulating its policies.

The late Dr.Ismail had touched on the crux of the problem of nation building in Malaysia, for the key to the survival of Malaysia as a nation and as a people will depend on whether Malaysia is developed strictly along multiracial, multi-cultural and multi-religious lines.

Malaysia does not belong to any one racial, religious or cultural group, and any attempt to achieve this end must lead to national tragedy. Continue reading Alliance Government should prove its dedication to a multi-racial society

National campaign for the repeal of the 1971 Education (Amendment) Act

Speech by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr.Lim Kit Siang, when officiating at the opening of the Chinese education exhibition organised by the Perak DAP Chinese Education Sub-Committee held at DAP Perak State headquarters at Jalan Kampar on Tuesday, 24 July 1973 at 9a.m.

Call on Chinese educational bodies to launch a national movement to campaign for the repeal of the 1971 Education (Amendment) Act which abolished the powers of School Boards of Management

Chinese education is at the final critical phase of its existence in Malaysia, and it behooves all Malaysians who cherish Chinese education to bestir themselves to take their place in the frontline of the defence and advancement of the fine tradition and heritage of Chinese education.

Verbal support and more good intentions which make interesting reading and good publicity cannot check or reverse the strong current against which Chinese education is struggling against. Only actual deeds and dynamic endeavour can salvage for Chinese education her rightful place in the country.

For the past one month, the Kampung Bercham Chinese Primary School affair has highlighted the predicament about the future of Chinese education and schools in the country. Continue reading National campaign for the repeal of the 1971 Education (Amendment) Act