KOTA KINABALU: The allocation of RM50million to national Chinese schools in Budget 2015 reflects the high regard the government has for Chinese education in the country.
“This also shows that the government recognizes the importance of the Chinese language, which is now being learnt by many non-Chinese in Malaysia,” MCA Sabah Liaison chairman Wilfred Yong said.
Wilfred, who is in Kuala Lumpur attending the national MCA Youth 50th annual general meeting, said this when contacted to comment on the national budget which was tabled by Prime Minister cum Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Friday.
“We in MCA Sabah would like to express our deepest gratitude to Datuk Seri Najib for the allocation to national Chinese schools. This shows us that he really supports Chinese education as has always been the choice of non-Chinese parents who want their children to master the Chinese language,” Wilfred said.
“Our Prime Minister knows the importance of Chinese education as it is for all races in Malaysia, not only for the Chinese,” he stressed.
Wilfred also said there were many non-Malaysian Chinese who had mastered the language and had made a name for themselves in various fields in China.
One example is Malaysian singer Shila Amzah, who won a Chinese reality singing competition, Asian Wave, held in Shanghai last year.
“She is a non-Chinese Malaysian, but is using Chinese to conquer Asia. She is also learning Chinese in China to expand her career and this can lead her to greater heights,” Wilfred said.
“We must remember that China is the second biggest market in the world and a good grasp of the Chinese language will help us go far in the international arena,” he added.