Thursday, August 8, 2019

Jawi & Khat - What is the Problem ? - Part 2



As I have explained in my previous post, if the British didn't replace the Arabic script with the Latin alphabet in the 17th century and if the National Langue Acts 1963 didn't specified Rumi script as the script of the National Langue, Jawi would be the script used in all Malaysian school today. Then the introduction of Khat as part of the year 4 Bahasa Melayu syllabus starting next year is not an issue as all to the non-Malay. Many people might not even notice its introduction at all.

But, since the Rumi script is the script for Bahasa Malaysia, and all the non-Malay children at present are happily studying the Rumi script Bahasa Malaysia. The sudden introduction of an alien-looking Khat into their heavy curriculum is a shocking thing. And since the Jawi script has been relegated to religious, cultural (Malay) and administrative purpose, some non-Muslim subconsciously may link Jawi or Khat to Islam. But to link Jawi, Khat or Arabic to Islam is just like linking English to Christianity. It is totally wrong.


Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz said that Khat Calligraphy as an elective subject is fine as some people are into fine arts. "Do not make it as though we are making you learn Khat, it is the most silly thing to do." "Don't overload the current education system with unnecessary, frivolous subjects."

Some said Tan Sri Rafidah can be a better education minister than Maszlee. There are many believed that Mazlee is simply the wrong man for the job.

The main tasks of Maszlee is to transform dismal and dysfunctional education system into a world class education system and to restructure the existing system to promote national unity. Instead of focusing on improving the education system, his introduction of Khat Calligraphy that has no impact at all in improving the declining education system, has landed Pakatan Harapan in a difficult position and at the same time has given UMNO/PAS some bullets to use.

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