KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 — There is no truth to claims that National Type Chinese Primary Schools (SJKC) are an obstacle to national unity, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon said this was easily proven as about 15 per cent of SJKC students were non-Chinese.

“SJKC is the preferred choice of other races so there is no issue of SJKC being an obstacle to national unity,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Dr Lee Boon Chye (PKR-Gopeng) here.

He also said that SKJC and National Type Tamil Schools existed not only to promote the use of the mother tongue but also to respect diversity in the country.

Replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Shabudin Yahaya (BN-Tasik Gelugor), Chong said the Ministry of Education had started Mandarin, Tamil, Arabic and Japanese language classes for elective subject options in national schools.

“However, there is still no policy, for example, to make it compulsory for Chinese students in national schools to study Mandarin. This is just an effort to create options for those studying in national schools,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said that under ‘Op Catut’, an operation to prevent profiteering following the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), 1,781,630 inspections were conducted on business premises across the country as of Nov 25.

“Of a total of 6,498 cases, 4,046 involved flouting of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 while 2,356 cases came under the Weights and Measures Act 1972.

“Thirty-seven cases were under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 and 59 under the Consumer Protection Act 1999. Overall seizure of goods totaled RM1,252,291 and compound value was RM900,056,” he said in reply to a question from Shaharuddin Ismail (BN-Kangar).

Ahmad Bashah said a total of 2,342 notices were issued under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 against traders who failed to justify their price increase or imposed unreasonable charges.

“Regular inspections will be conducted in clamping down on profiteering and other illegal activities by irresponsible parties,” he said. — Bernama