Ridhuan Tee alarming, disruptive and dangerously divisive

Sarawak United People’s Party Youth chief Kevin Lau Kor Jie blasted off celebrity preacher Ridhuan Tee Abdullah’s call to defund Chinese schools if alcohol continues to be served on their premises for private events.

Lau said Tee’s remark is “alarming, disruptive and dangerously divisive” and deepen racial polarisation.

“This will only create further polarisation within our society,” Lau said in a statement, responding to Tee’s remarks following a recent dispute over the serving of alcohol at events held in Chinese vernacular school halls.

“Out of the blue, we have someone like Tee who seemed to want to stoke the fire and create more drama and controversy by calling for full privatisation, closure or forced assimilation of Chinese-language primary schools,” he said, Borneo Post reported.

Vernacular education is constitutionally protected under Article 153 (1)(b) of the Federal Constitution, he added.

He also pointed out that Tee failed to understand why non-Chinese parents send their children to Chinese schools.

“Chinese-language schools in Malaysia are known for stronger foundations in mathematics, sciences, discipline and often Mandarin — giving students a unique edge in a globalising economy.”

The issue have been resolved as the Cabinet has ruled that Chinese remain exempted from the ruling.

Chinese schools rent out their halls for private community events.