PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has hailed the Federal Court’s decision to reject leave by two groups’ appeal to declare vernacular schools unconstitutional as a triumph for such schools. The MCA president stated that the Apex Court’s ruling marks the end of the entire case.
“The issue challenging the existence and constitutional right of vernacular schools to use Chinese and Tamil as the medium of instruction has officially concluded satisfactorily, with vernacular schools securing the final victory!
“This affirms that the use of Mandarin and Tamil as medium of instruction in vernacular schools is a right protected by the Federal Constitution and therefore does not contravene it,” he said on Tuesday (Feb 20).
The Federal Court’s decision, which was made on Tuesday, upheld the constitutionality of vernacular schools in a majority two-one decision, rejecting the leave to two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that appealed to seek to declare that the use of Chinese and Tamil languages as the medium of instruction in vernacular schools goes against the Federal Constitution.
Lim and Judge Datuk Rhodzhariah Bujang ruled against granting leave, while Judge Datuk Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil dissented, putting the Court of Appeal’s decision on November 23 last year, which affirmed the constitutionality of vernacular schools in the country, in effect.
Reflecting on the case, Dr Wee emphasized MCA’s involvement in appointing lawyers to act as the defending party for the status of vernacular schools and the right to use vernacular languages as the medium of instruction.
“We express gratitude for the judge’s ruling and, more importantly, for the foresight of the founders of our party, who, from the perspective of the constitution and system, in black and white, have safeguarded the legal status of vernacular schools and the legitimate right of people of all ethnicities to receive vernacular education.
“MCA will continue to do its utmost to defend the existence of a multi-stream education system firmly, strive to promote the robust development of Chinese education, and never disappoint the foundation laid by the pioneers of our nation,” he added.
