LETTERS: It’s about time the Dong Zong and khat issues were resolved because they are reflecting badly on non-Muslims.
Khat is a script used to express words and is used in dozens of non-Arabic languages in Africa, Middle East, south India and China. Khat is not an Arabisation conspiracy.
The acronym KWSP in the Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (Employees’ Provident Fund) logo is a khat artwork.
Why didn’t anyone make a fuss of the KWSP logo when it was introduced or sound the alarm when Jawi was used as the second language on road signs?
I have been to India and found Urdu (the khat version of Hindi) used on road signs, movies titles, names and even on government buildings.
The Education Ministry has agreed to reduce the number of pages from six to three and make the learning of khat optional after the public outcry.
Dong Zong and vernacular movements have been hurling brickbats at khat daily.
This gives the impression that non-Muslims are intolerant of other cultures and are so fragile that that we will lose our culture if we learn khat.
During a meeting with ministry officals recently, I was informed that there had been no request for a discussion on the issue from Dong Zong.
Why didn’t Dong Zong and its vernacular allies try to meet the deputy education minister for clarification?
Why merely issue media statements?
Dong Zong and its allies are also said to be concerned about the plight of schools in Sabah and Sarawak.
However, there seems to be no reaction from Dong Zong when the Finance Ministry did not allocate funds to repair schools in Sarawak.
Dong Zong and its vernacular allies should use the proper channels to voice their views.
SHARAN RAJ
Kuala Lumpur