On Friday, December 20, 2024, Datuk Tan Yew Sing, Chairman of the United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong), and Central Committee Member Tan In Fong visited the Malaysia Jiangsu Entrepreneurs Business Association. The visit was warmly welcomed by the President of the Malaysia Jiangsu Entrepreneurs Business Association, Sun Jianwei. Both parties engaged in in-depth and fruitful exchanges, jointly outlining a blueprint for the future development of overseas Chinese language education.
The United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) was established on August 22, 1954, and is composed of the state Chinese school committees and the Chinese Education Associations across Malaysia. These committees and associations are registered organizations under the Societies Act, while the school boards within each state’s association are established under the Education Act. The board members of the school boards are elected internally and appointed by related organizations. The board members are generally individuals or representatives of groups who are concerned about Chinese education in their local areas.
Since its establishment in 1954, Dong Zong has actively collaborated with the Malaysian Chinese Teachers’ Association (Jiao Zong) to fight for the rights of the Chinese community. The two largest organizations in Chinese education in Malaysia, in opposition to unequal educational policies, formed a close alliance and are collectively referred to as “Dong Jiao Zong.” After half a century of arduous struggle and severe tests, Dong Jiao Zong has established itself as a prominent spokesperson for Chinese education in Malaysia and a central leadership organization for Chinese community-run education.
During the exchange, President Sun Jianwei sincerely welcomed Datuk Tan Yew Sing and his delegation. He emphasized that through organizing diverse activities and exchange meetings, both parties could further deepen their cooperation. He pointed out that overseas Chinese language education is at a critical stage of digital and intelligent transformation, and both sides should join hands to explore innovative paths to improve educational management and teaching quality. Sun also expressed his hope to use this opportunity to call on more community organizations to pay attention to and support the development of overseas Chinese education, gathering collective strength to contribute to the inheritance and promotion of Chinese culture.
It is worth mentioning that as the Chairman of The South Sea Capital Sdn. Bhd., Sun Jianwei has always been passionate about the Chinese education cause in Malaysia. He actively fulfills his social responsibilities and continues to contribute to Chinese education. In 2023, Sun donated 100,000 Malaysian Ringgit to Dong Zong. This time, he donated another 50,000 Malaysian Ringgit, which will be specifically used to purchase scientific experimental equipment for independent Chinese secondary schools nationwide, making an effort to improve the teaching conditions of Chinese education.
During the meeting, both parties held a simple yet formal symbolic check handover ceremony. Datuk Tan Yew Sing expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Sun Jianwei for his selfless dedication and steadfast support over the years.
Image 1: President Sun Jianwei hands over the symbolic donation check to Datuk Tan Yew Sing, Chairman of Dong Zong.
