theSun | THURSDAY MAY 28 2009 9

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Chinese educationists
laud meeting with DPM
JIAO ZONG (United Chinese
School Teachers Association)
president Ong Kow Yee has
given the thumbs-up to the
ice-breaking meeting be-
tween seven Chinese groups
and Deputy Prime Minister
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on
Tuesday.
“He talked with us in an
open manner and listened to
(our explanation on the items
contained in) the memoran-
dum we submitted and has
given us his answers. In the
past, we had little chance to
interact with the education
minister, less so the deputy
prime minister,” Ong was
quoted by Sin Chew Daily as
saying yesterday.
“The meeting was proof
that he is open and wants
to understand the problems
concerning Chinese educa-
tion.”
Ong said Muhyiddin, who
is also the education minis-
ter, promised to help where
he can regarding problems
facing Chinese education.
“For example, on the
problem of teaching staff, he
told us to submit the names
of those who complained that
they had applied to become
teachers but were not called
for interviews. He said he
would help us resolve such
Press Digest
by Kong See Hoh
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
problems,” he said.
Dong Zong (United
Chinese School Commit-
tees Association) president
Dr Yap Sin Tian said “a lot
more needs to be done by
the Chinese groups to work
towards their goals” as the
meeting showed there is
still a big gap between their
aspirations and the current
government policies.
“(Changes in) government
policies cannot be achieved
in one or two meetings, and
we will continue with our
efforts (to effect changes) ...
(Looking at things) From the
country’s development per-
spective, we need to carry on
and try harder,” he said.
Yap said although both
sides were not able to resolve
several problems that involve
government policies, the
Chinese groups’ representa-
tives were able to put across
to Muhyiddin the problems
encountered by Chinese
educationists.
He said although the gov-
ernment cannot recognise
the Unified Examination
Certificate (UEC) due
to policy constraints,
Dong Zong will
continue to organise
Unified Examination
for private Chinese
schools and work
towards its eventual recogni-
tion by the government.
Asked to comment on
Muhyiddin’s rejection of
their request for annual
grants for Chinese second-
ary schools, he said: “Some
state governments are giving
out annual grants to Chinese
schools. Although Muhyiddin
did not agree that the federal
government should do it as
it is a matter of government
policy, he said he would
consider it.”
Hua Zong (Federation
of Chinese Associations of
Malaysia) said although
representatives from the
Chinese groups were not all
that happy with the outcome
of the meeting, it was fruitful
in certain ways.
The other groups in the
meeting were Seven Major
Clans Association, United
Chinese School Alumni
Association of Malaysia,
Nanyang University Alumni
Association of Malaysia and
Taiwan Graduates Alumni
Association of Malaysia.

Bosses all for online link-up with IRB

MALAYSIAN Employers
Federation president Datuk
Azman Shah Harun is in
favour of employers going
online with the Inland Rev-
enue Board (IRB) to facilitate
e-filing.
He said it will benefit
both parties as they can at
least expect to reduce their
workload.
The federation will keep
in touch with the board,
including holding meet-
ings with it, to explore the
problems that may crop up
from such link-up and find
possible solutions, Sin Chew
Daily reported yesterday.
IRB director-general
Datuk Hasmah Abdullah told
the daily in an interview last
week the board hoped to link
up with employers so that the
the employers can fill in the
income of their workers in
their tax returns for a more
simplified e-filing process.
Commenting on this, Az-
man said things are still at
the initial stage and problems
have to be overcome.
Once employers go online
with IRB, they will no longer
need to issue the EA form to
their employees.

for couples intending to tie the knot to be

briefs
Gapena to submit memo
to Muhyiddin
KUALA LUMPUR: Gapena will submit a nine-
point memorandum to Deputy Prime Minister
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to express support
for the 1Malaysia concept and state its posi-
tion on the policy of teaching mathematics and
science in English.
Gapena chief (1) Tan Sri Prof Emeritus
Ismail Hussein said yesterday Gapena re-
mained steadfast in wanting to see the policy
scrapped and in demanding that the status
of the national language be restored in the
national education system.
“This is in line with the calls by intellectuals,
cultural activists and literary figures as well as
findings by several studies organised by uni-
versities and public organisations,” he said.
On the 1Malaysia concept, Ismail said Gap-
ena offered cooperation in realising the concept
based on the interpretation of the constitution
and the laws of the country. – Bernama
Mandatory test for
thalassaemia proposed
TAWAU: A paediatrician here has proposed
that the government make it mandatory
tested for thalassaemia.
Dr Asmiati Abd Hamid, of Tawau Hos-
pital, said this was needed to control and
prevent the genetic disease from spread-
ing.
She said such tests could be carried
out just like the mandatory HIV/AIDS test
on couples currently in practice.
Asmiati made the suggestion at the
launch of the Tawau Thalassaemia As-
sociation by Sabah Assistant Finance
Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan.
– Bernama
Search for American diver
called off
KUANTAN: The search and rescue opera-
tion for American diver Kenneth Wayne, 62,
reported missing when the yacht he was in
sank in waters off Kuantan Port on Sunday,
was called off yesterday.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement
Agency (MMEA) director of operations for
Kuantan district, Commander Wan Mat Wan
Abdullah, said the operation was shelved be-
cause the search and rescue team, comprising
12 divers from the navy, could not ascertain
the location to carry out the search.
“They will be allowed to resume the search
and rescue operation after the location where
the diver went missing can be ascertained,”
he said. – Bernama