A shouting match erupted in the Dewan Rakyat today over a question on the number of non-Chinese students in Chinese national schools (SJKC) and whether these schools pose a problem to national unity.

Yap Pian Hon (BN-Serdang) told Deputy Education Minister Hon Choon Kim that there were many non-Chinese students in Chinese schools.

In view of this, he called on Hon to clarify reports quoting several parties that the presence of SJKCs was seen a stumbling block to fostering national unity.

"What's the ministry's view on reports that SJKCs are obstacles to building national unity. I want to ask if this is true or not?" said Yap.

Responding, Hon said there were no such reports and added that the government was undertaking a 'students integrated unity' programme to foster ties between students from different language streams.

Umno leaders think so

At this juncture, Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) questioned the deputy minister's reply. She said many Umno members held the view that SJKCs blocked efforts towards national unity.

"The deputy minister says there are no such reports, but I disagree. Many Umno leaders and even ministers think so," she added.

This irked Mohamed Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) who told the DAP MP not to "harbour bad intentions" with her questions, to which Chong replied: "Don't be childish."

Mahadzhir Mohd Khir (BN-Sungai Petani) then joined in the fray. "This is DAP's accusation, Umno has never said this," he told Chong.

Chong then said she would bring newspaper cuttings to prove her claims and this led Mohamed Aziz to retort: "Bring the newspaper cuttings, bring it!"

Chong later quizzed Hon regarding the status of the United Examinations Certificate (UEC) - an examination for secondary students in Chinese schools.

She asked the deputy minister if the government would recognise the examination.

Hon said Chinese schools had the same curriculum as national schools but the subjects were taught in Mandarin.

He added that the government cannot recognise the UEC due to the country's education policy.

"I feel disappointed when BN MPs including Umno members are asked these questions because they are always asking for budget allocations for their SJKC schools in their constituencies," he said, telling Chong not to raise questions on Chinese schools being allegedly sidelined by Umno.

We're not racist

Met at the Parliament lobby later, Mohamed Aziz said it was politics and not the education policy which was a stumbling block to promoting national unity.

"School is not the problem, politics is. Every year, I ask for allocations for the Chinese schools in my constituency. There are no development problems there, but I have asked for funding.

"Don't be narrow minded, it creates division," he added.

Speaking to reporters later, Hon once again refuted the allegation that certain parties saw SJKCs as a problem in fostering national unity.

Mahadzir, on the other hand, cautioned DAP against trying to paint Umno as a racist party.

"What does DAP want to imply? We never said Chinese schools are blocking efforts towards national unity.

"How many schools have closed? None," he said, adding that the Education Act provided for vernacular schools to exist.

"Don't politicise the matter, don't paint us as racist. We are a national party. Of course, we are party of Malay membership but we are a BN component party," he stressed.