Dr Sim (second left) presents a grant to a recipient. From left are SUPP Piasau chairman Datuk Sebastian Ting, Assistant Minister of Communication Datuk Lee Kim Shin and United Association of Chinese Primary Aided School Boards of Management Miri and Limbang Division board director Kong San Hoe.
MIRI: Chinese-medium schools have been called on to continue protecting the official language of the community – Mandarin.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said as the Chinese community chooses to have fewer children, it is estimated that the number of Chinese students would decline soon.
“It is our obligation and responsibility to protect our mother tongue – Mandarin and the history that we are proud of,” he said when presenting grants to Chinese-medium schools on Friday.
“To be honest, there is no rule saying that Chinese school is a privilege for only the Chinese community. Hence, those non-Chinese are highly encouraged to learn and study Mandarin as well.”
He called on the schools to make good use of the grants.
“To make it more transparent, I would encourage the managements to record all expenses and make a report, so that we would know where the money is spent,” he said.
Dr Sim presented grants totalling RM520,000 to SJK Chung Hua Bakam, SJK Chung Hua Pujut, SJK Chung San Miri, SJK Chung Hua Tudan, SJK Chung Hua Sibuti, SJK Chin Nam, SJK Chung Hua Trusan and SJK Soon Hwa Sundar.