Dr Chou Chii Ming
KUCHING: The High Court in Kuala Lumpur rejected on Friday night an injunction filed by Dr Yap Sin Tian to bar the holding of an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) called by five state affiliates of Dong Zong (United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia).
United People’s Party (UPP) advisor Dr Chou Chii Ming said the EGM fixed for today (Aug 23) would be called, and the ruling by the KL High Court meant Yap’s era would be over with a new team of leaders elected at the EGM.
“It is expected that the new team of leaders will be democratic and realistic so they can go back to the round table consultation set up by the Federal Government to settle problems faced by Chinese education in the country,” he told thesundaypost yesterday.
Chou said the Chinese community hoped the new team of Dong Zong leaders would embark on a new direction, apart from working closely and amicably with the Education Ministry to iron out longstanding issues faced by Chinese schools.
“Problems faced by Chinese primary schools such as shortage of Chinese and English language teachers, funding for infrastructure and the prime problem of Chinese independent schools – recognition of Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) – should be addressed and solved.
“The general opinion is that Yap’s faction should accept reality and stop calling people to oppose the EGM. He should not mobilise undesirable personnel to cause disturbance to any lawful meeting of Dong Zong.”
A national daily recently reported that there might be possible violent clashes during the EGM to be held at Dong Zong’s headquarters in Kajang because Yap – the central figure in the Dong Zong crisis – had urged his supporters to mobilise 10,000 people to stop the EGM from taking place.
If resolutions at the EGM were adopted without violating any legal rule, Yap would be removed as president, added the report.
Yap was elected as Dong Zong president two years ago, but was unceremoniously overthrown along with his deputy Chow Sow Hon in June by rivals led by secretary-general Poh Chin Chuan in a legally questionable manner.
But Yap will continue to lead Dong Zong until 2017 if his removal is illegal.
It was also reported that 10 out of the 13 state affiliates of Dong Zong had declared support for the EGM and its resolutions.
Many Chinese community leaders are hoping the EGM will end the 19-month long leadership crisis in Dong Zong – the leading Chinese education movement in Malaysia.
The EGM had to be called after director-general of Registrar of Societies (ROS) sent a show-cause letter to Dong Zong, demanding the movement explain why it should not be de-registered.
If Dong Zong is de-registered, all its assets and activities, including the UEC examinations in 60 Chinese independent schools nation-wide, will be frozen.
About 25,000 students are taking the UEC exams this year.