Category: Mother Tongue

Open Challenge to a public debate in Mandarin to Mr. Lew Sip Hon, whether in Bungsar or Malacca

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary and Parliamentary Candidate for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a General Elections Public Rally at Sungei Way New Village in Damansara Constituency on 10th April 1969 at 10pm:

Last week, the MCA Maju Ward Chairman and Alliance Parliamentary Candidate for Bungsar, Mr. Lew Sip Hon, boasted that the MCA Maju Ward had “sufficient brainpower to match the brains in the DAP, and that it could match the opposition parties word for word, slogan for slogan and statement for statement.”

Very high-sounding words, but within a week, they prove to be mere empty words.

As Mr. Lew Sip Hon is now posing as the champing of Chinese education, language and culture, I asked him some searching questions at the first national DAP Public Rally at Jalan Mountbatten, Kuala Lumpur, on 6th April 1969, I wanted to know how Mr. Lew could have signed the Aziz Commission Report, which if implemented, will be the final death blow to Chinese education, if he is really concerned about Chinese education. I also wanted to know how Mr. Lew Sip Hon could explain the MCA’s determination to eliminate Chinese education in this country, when in a multi-racial society like Malaysia, there should be room for the different language education streams to develop and grow.

One would have thought that with the ‘sufficient brainpower’ Mr. Lew Sip Hon claims that he has got, he would have accepted my invitation to a public argument on this matter. Continue reading Open Challenge to a public debate in Mandarin to Mr. Lew Sip Hon, whether in Bungsar or Malacca

People of Malacca to organise their own campaign to donate to Merdeka University

Statement by DAP Organising Secretary and Parliamentary Candidate for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a Press Conference at 5, Joner Street, on 9th April 1969 at 10.30a.m.

The President of the MCA, Tun Tan Siew Sin, has criticized the DAP for launching its nation-wide campaign to sell 50,000 copies of the Rocket in aid of the Merdeka University.

Tun Tan also accused the DAP of trying to make the Merdeka University into a ‘political football’ and trying to use it to get votes.

First of all, let me say that if Tun Tan Cheng Lock is still alive today, and still the President of MCA, he would never make such an accusation. Tun Tan Cheng Lock would have been the first to publicly commend the DAP for joining the national support for the Merdeka University. Tun Tan Cheng Lock would have also committed the full support of himself and the MCA to the Merdeka University, just as he had done so 15 years ago when he championed the formation of the Nanyang University.

The DAP need not apologise for our support for the Merdeka University, just as we have no need to apologise for standing for justice and racial equality, for fighting corruption, incompetence and discrimination. But it is Tun Tan Siew Sin and the Mca who must explain their opposition to the Merdeka University, and their determination to destroy it. This is why up to now, the application for registration of the Merdeka University had not been approved yet, although the Tunku Abdul Rahman College, conceived by the MCA to counter the Merdeka University, had already been allowed to start classes. Continue reading People of Malacca to organise their own campaign to donate to Merdeka University

The Maju Ward – the Chief Executioners of the ‘Grand Deception’ campaign of the MCA

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary and Parliamentary Candidate for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at the first National DAP General Elections public rally at Mountbatton Road Taxi Stand, Kuala Lumpur, on 6th April 1969 at 8.30p.m.

The Alliance and the MCA have launched their ‘Grand Deception’ campaign to mislead and deceive the voters to support and vote the alliance candidates in the general elections.

Those who have been appointed the chief executioners of the ‘grand Deception’ campaign in the MCA are the so-called intellectuals of the MCA Maju Ward.

In the last one week, the two MCA Maju Ward candidates, Mr. Lew Sip Hon candidate for Bungsar, and Dr. Teh Hock Hin, candidate for Setapak, who had never been known to show the least concern for the fate of Chinese education, language and culture in Malaysia, began suddenly to show interest in the problem, and even made some sympathetic noises.

The MCA propaganda machinery virtually presented Mr. Lew Sip Hon and Dr. Teh Hock Him as the sole saviours of Chinese education, language and culture in Malaysia. Continue reading The Maju Ward – the Chief Executioners of the ‘Grand Deception’ campaign of the MCA

The fate of 25,329 teachers

The DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, today issued the following statement (29.3.1969):

The Aziz Commission Report has brought fear, uncertainty and insecurity to 25,329 teachers who have been described as unqualified and underqualified teachers and who are recommended to pass the S.C. or M.C.E. examination within three years or face dismissal.

This recommendation, if adopted and implemented, will be a great and cruel blow on Chinese school teachers.

Their ability of Chinese – school teachers to teach has nothing to do with their passing S.C. or M.C.E. examination before they could continue teaching, as it is to demand that English school teachers must pass the Chinese Senior Middle Three examination before they could be confirmed in their teaching posts.

It is an unreasonable to expect Chinese school teachers to pass the S.C or M.C.E. examination before they could continue teaching, as it is to demand that English school teachers must pass the Chinese Middle Three examination before they could be confirmed in their teaching posts. Continue reading The fate of 25,329 teachers

Mr. Khaw Kai Boh asked to explain why he opposes Merdeka University and yet supports National University

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a DAP Public Rally at Kampar, Perak, On Saturday, 22nd March 1969 at 8p.m.

At the opening of a MCA branch at University Gardens in Petaling Jaya last Saturday, the Minister for Local Government and Housing, Mr. Khaw Kai Boh, said he would be the first to support the Merdeka University if the government would recognize the degrees and qualifications of the University.

Instead of making such dishonest statements, Mr. Khaw should be truthful and say openly he is opposed to the Merdeka University.

We all know whether the Alliance government recognize the degrees of the Merdeka University or not depends on the Alliance Cabinet, of which Mr. Khaw Kai Boh is a full member.

If Mr. Khaw and his MCA Ministerial colleagues support the Merdeka University as a worthwhile educational project, then the chances of government recognition of its degrees are bright. But if the MCA leaders are the foremost opponents of the Merdeka University, as many of them, including Tun Tan Siew Sin, Mr. Khaw Kai Boh, Mr. Lee San Choon, Mr. Quek Kai Dong, Mr. Siow Loong Hin, etc., have gone on public record on this, then the present Alliance cabinet will not support the Merdeka University project. Continue reading Mr. Khaw Kai Boh asked to explain why he opposes Merdeka University and yet supports National University

A Challenge to Mr. Khaw Khai Boh

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a DAP Public Rally at Ipoh Road, 4 ½ m.s., Kuala Lumpur on Friday, 21st March 1969 at 9 p.m.

In his speech at Kampong Lompang two days ago, the Minister for Local Government and Housing, Mr. Khaw Kai Boh, asked the DAP to explain its language stand.

Mr. Khaw wanted to know why the DAP was opposed to the Alliance Putting up multi-lingual propaganda on top of the multi-storey Circular Road housing flats, when the DAP claimed that it was fighting for equal use and status of the four languages.

I had not expected Mr. Khaw Kai Boh to be so naïve. What the DAP objected to was not the four languages bring used on the Circular Road housing blocks, but to the blatant Alliance propaganda on public housing flats, as the words were: “Another Alliance low-cost housing achievement.”

In the first place, the Circular Road housing flats are not ‘low-costs’ ones. They are high-cost flats. Continue reading A Challenge to Mr. Khaw Khai Boh

Lee San Choon and Merdeka University

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a DAP Public Rally at Salak South Town, Bungsar, on Thursday, 13 March 1969 at 8 p.m.

I was shocked to read in today’s press that the MCA Publicity Director, Mr. Lee San Choon, had to check to quote Tun Sir Cheng Lock Tan, when he is one of the main detractors of the late Sir Cheng Lock Tan’s life work and struggle.

It was Mr. Lee San Choon who said in Kuantan on May 2, 1968:”The MCA holds that the Merdeka University project is an attempt to deceive the people. It claims to be able to find an outlet for them but in fact will bring them to the end of the road. Nantah is a good example.”

From his statement in Kuantan last year, it is clear that Mr. Lee San Choon regards the Nantah and its sponsors and founders including the late Tun Sir Cheng Lock-Tan who was one of Nantah’s most eloquent advocates, as a ‘big fraud and deceit ’ on the people.

This is probably why the MCA strongly opposes the recognition of Nantah degrees, in violation of the memory of Tun Sir Cheng Lock Tan’s contribution to Nantah. Continue reading Lee San Choon and Merdeka University

Merdeka University and the MCA

The DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, today issued the following statement (11.3.69):

In his speech at Kuala Kubu two days ago on 9th March 1969, the Minister of Local Government and Housing, Mr. Khaw Khai Boh, endorsed the statement by his MCA colleague, Mr. Quek Kai Dong, Member of Parliament of Seremban Timor, that “the Merdeka University was a political scheme to destroy the position of Malaysian Chinese.”

Mr. Khaw Khai Boh and Mr. Quek Kai Dong now want the people to believe that the sponsors of the Merdeka University, like Mr. Sim Moh Yu, Mr. Lu ting Yu, and all those organizations, associations, societies and individuals who have come out warmly in support of this educational project, are “anti-Chinese ,and traitors” of Malaysian Chinese.

Mr. Khaw Khai Boh and Mr. Quek Kai Dong should stop taking the people as feels who can be easily bluffed. Only the Tun Tan Siew Sins will believe such a preposterous statement.

Why did Mr. Khaw Khai Boh and Mr. Quek Kai Dong make such irresponsible and mischievous statements? Continue reading Merdeka University and the MCA

Call to Chua Song Lim to explain his stand on Chinese education

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at the Sungei Way DAP Branch on Thursday, February 14, 1969 at 8p.m.

The recent statements by the MCA National Vice President, Mr. Chua Song Lim, on the question of the recognition of Nanyang and Formosan degrees and qualifications reflect faithfully the MCA stand on Chinese language, education and culture.

On the 18th January 1969, Mr. Chua Song Lim gave a policy speech on behalf of the MCA in Muar and reaffirmed without qualification the MCA opposition to the recognition of Nantah and Formosan University degrees and qualifications, on the ground that they are of low academic standard.

This caused a nation-wide uproar from Nantah and Formosan University graduates, and from DAP branches throughout the country.

At a DAP public rally at Kulai, Johore, on January 31, I asked MR. Chua Song Lim to give three reason to justify the MCA and his personal opposition to the recognition of Nantah degrees. Continue reading Call to Chua Song Lim to explain his stand on Chinese education

Mr. Chua Song Lim asked to give three reasons to justify his stand that Nanyang University of low academic standard

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a DAP Public Rally at Kulai, Johore, on Friday, January 31, 1969 at 8p.m.

On the 18th January, the MCA National Vice President, Mr. Chua Song Lim, gave a policy speech in Muar on the MCA’s stand on the recognition of Nanyang and Formosan university degrees and qualifications.

Mr. Chua said the Alliance government was right in refusing to recognize Nanyang University degrees because of its low academic standard.

How does Mr. Chua know? Did he speak with knowledge, or was it merely from hearsay? Has he made a study and comparison of the standard of the Nanyang University with other universities, for instance, the University of Malaya or the University of Singapore?

Is Mr. Chua qualified and competent to make any such study and comparison? We know Mr. Chua is a very successful and prosperous rubber baron, who knows when to strike a business deal to pile up a fortune, and who grows richer and richer year by year. But that does not make him an authority qualified to condemn the Nanyang University as of low academic standard! Continue reading Mr. Chua Song Lim asked to give three reasons to justify his stand that Nanyang University of low academic standard