CONVERT Muslim preacher Prof Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah has blasted Bersatu and PAS MPs for not standing up to defend his fellow academician Prof Datuk Teo Kok Seong who steadfastly opposed Chinese vernacular schools as being “an obstacle to racial integration or for sowing the seeds of racism” in the Dewan Rakyat.
The political science lecturer of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin in Kuala Terengganu farther expressed disgust that till today, “not a single PN MP has come forward to defend the former Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) professor of ethnic studies although we know that he’s telling the truth”.
“Are you afraid of losing votes and power?” Ridhuan hit out in his latest Facebook post.
“It is heartbreaking to see you guys let a Chinese professor who addressed the Chinese education faltered alone while Chinese historians such as the late Prof Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim and myself have for the longest of time spoken about how big the issue (of Chinese vernacular school education) is to this country.”
For context, the Kelantan-born Teo is embroiled in a war of words with DAP Seputeh MP Teresa Kok over his allegation that Chinese vernacular schools in the country are breeding grounds of intolerance, hence leading to non-integration.
Like Ridhuan Teo who is currently a member of the Council of Professors is no stranger to controversies given that both him and Ridhuan are often dubbed by the Malay and Chinese communities as portraying themselves “to be more Malay than the Malay themselves”
Delving further into the matter, Ridhuan claimed that based on a study conducted by Teo, “these Chinese kids don’t mixed (with others outside their race) while their Malay language communication skill is sadly at zero” even at secondary school and higher learning institution levels.
The Muafakat Nasional deputy president further refuted allegation “by the ultra kiasu (referring to Chinese chauvinist) that Teo is a racist, leading to him being verbally attacked both inside and outside the Parliament”.
“How can Teo as a Chinese who raised the issue of Chinese education be a racist except that he’s a Malay?” justified Ridhuan who was relieved as a speaker on RTM (Radio Televisyen Malaysia) talk show Forum Perdana Ehwal Islam soon after the formation of the unity government in late November 2022:
“I challenge ultra kiasu leaders if they dare to or want evidence and everything else to have a face-to-face academic discussion with me … it’s alright if PN MPs are not supportive in this matter. Truth shall prevail.” – March 8, 2024
