Nantah Alumni: Closing of Uni by LKY is Unforgivable

[OMeGa666]

Operation Cold Store remembers.

I just hope the media could portray a more balanced view on Lee Kuan Yew.

Happened to see this comment in a separate thread. So, I just translated the statement released by Nantah (ex-Nanyang University) Alumni regarding Mr. Lee's demise. Not to ignite another debate, but just a sharing of something done by the iron fist decades ago, which had influenced/impacted our generations.

（吉隆坡23日訊）馬來亞南洋大學校友會就李光耀逝世發表文告，聲稱李光耀政府生前關閉南大、壓制華教的做法，不可原諒。

Spoiler

　馬來亞南大校友會指出，李光耀活躍于新馬兩地政壇之際，正逢二次大戰后風起雲湧的民族要自主，國家要獨立的反殖運動熱潮。那也是當年南洋大學應新馬兩地華裔人民的需求而創立的時代。當年南大與李光耀的交鋒頻密，自有歷史記載。

　“在這方面，歷史上有如下不可磨滅的記載，首先是無理漠視民族權益而關閉由馬新兩地人民共建的南洋大學，其次是壓制華文教育，導致華文中、小學式微，癱瘓華文教育體系和文化的根基，令一個佔有新加坡人口百分之七十五的華裔人群，失去接受母語教育的權利。”

　文告說，在基本人權方面，李光耀領導的政府以莫須有的罪名，褫奪了南大創辦人陳六使先生的公民權，因政見不同而囚禁南大校友謝太寶長達二十余年。

　“此外，我們的同學因其政策而被令停學、開除、逮捕，驅逐出境多達數百人，是世界高等學府受摧殘之最。”

　“另一方面，他的語文政策，將英文提到最高地位，壓制母語教育，使得新加坡人民的精神文明處于無根狀態，歷史已有證明。”

　文告強調，新加坡物質文明方面的建設，主要歸功于新加坡在這兩百多年以來，從來就是東南亞的最重要商業和經濟中心。它是憑著其優良的地理位置，勤勞人民的勞動以及工商界的貢獻而取得的成績。將這一切榮耀歸功于李光耀是不恰當的。

Nantah Alumni released a statement regarding Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's death, claiming that his act of closing Nantah and repressing Chinese education is unforgivable.

As a politician, Mr. Lee was active at the time point of post-WW2, where nationalism and anti-colonial movement were at height. It was also the era witnessing Nantah's establishment in fulfilling the requirements of the Chinese in Malaya. Frequent confrontations between Nantah and Mr. Lee were evident in records.

"Documentations shows that (Mr. Lee) had neglected the interest of Chinese and closed Nantah, the joint development of Malaya and Singapore. He also repressed Chinese-medium primary and secondary school, which in turn paralyzing Chinese education system and the root of our culture. The Chinese community in Singapore, accounted for 75% of overall population, had eventually lost their rights for mother-tongue language education."

According to the statement, in terms of basic human rights, Mr. Lee's government had revoked the citizenship of Mr. Tan Lark Sye, the founder of Nantah, without legit reasons. Alumnus Dr. Chia Thye Poh was also being imprisoned for over 20 years due to difference in political views.

"Furthermore, hundreds of our peers were being suspended, expelled, arrested, and deported out of Singapore due to the policy. It is considered the most severe damage a single higher education institution had ever suffered in the world."

"On the other hand, his language policy placed English at the highest priority, while clamping mother-tongue education. Eventually, Singaporeans are stripped of their roots in spiritual civilization, and it has been well-proven in history."

The statement credited the development of Singapore's material development to its state as the important commercial central in Southeast Asia throughout the past 200 years, as a result of its strategic location, diligent workforce, and contributions of private sectors. Sole attribution of success to Mr. Lee is improper.

 

[euko82]

He did not ban chinese education did he?

 

[Sai777]

dunno whether is unforgivable or notch....but lky did close Nantah...as a result, one whole generation of Nantah Grad got no job and most ended up starting own biz and many become very successful in later years.

 

[kingtrade]

He did not ban chinese education did he?

He did.

Chinese medium education in school ceased to exist by the mid 1980's.

U can imagine a whole generation of science, humanities, maths, etc teacher being re-designated as Chinese language teachers just because they are Chinese educated?

 

[Skurai]

It is practical. English is more important de

 

[lycheehello]

It is practical. English is more important de

the so-called 5000 years of culture very good meh

 

[kingtrade]

dunno whether is unforgivable or notch....but lky did close Nantah...as a result, one whole generation of Nantah Grad got no job and most ended up starting own biz and many become very successful in later years.

The issue always run deeper than just eliminating Chinese education or making Chinese graduates redundant. LKY actually destroy the power base of Chinese association(s) in the open.

Through the various operation in the 1960's, they reduced the Chinese associations from influential organizations who represent the Chinese's interest to mere lip service organizations who at every point of time try to please the PAPs.

To them, they see themselves as a fallen gentry class as they can't influence the society through the Chinese association, unlike their counterpart in Malaysia who at least still can say their piece through MCA.

 

[civicguy]

dunno whether is unforgivable or notch....but lky did close Nantah...as a result, one whole generation of Nantah Grad got no job and most ended up starting own biz and many become very successful in later years.

And the secretary General of the party that irritates his son the most now. LTK

 

[Alpha_Hippo]

Happened to see this comment in a separate thread. So, I just translated the statement released by Nantah (ex-Nanyang University) Alumni regarding Mr. Lee's demise. Not to ignite another debate, but just a sharing of something done by the iron fist decades ago, which had influenced/impacted our generations.



Nantah Alumni released a statement regarding Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's death, claiming that his act of closing Nantah and repressing Chinese education is unforgivable.

As a politician, Mr. Lee was active at the time point of post-WW2, where nationalism and anti-colonial movement were at height. It was also the era witnessing Nantah's establishment in fulfilling the requirements of the Chinese in Malaya. Frequent confrontations between Nantah and Mr. Lee were evident in records.

"Documentations shows that (Mr. Lee) had neglected the interest of Chinese and closed Nantah, the joint development of Malaya and Singapore. He also repressed Chinese-medium primary and secondary school, which in turn paralyzing Chinese education system and the root of our culture. The Chinese community in Singapore, accounted for 75% of overall population, had eventually lost their rights for mother-tongue language education."

because to lky, chinese edu = communists.

 

[watanabe777]

If you ask me today, my chinese reading is only 1% of 100%....

And you watched my engrish broke too...

 

[Alpha_Hippo]

It is practical. English is more important de

but now become mad scramble to learn Mandarin Rise of China changes all that.

 

[watanabe777]

because to lky, chinese edu = communists.

Bcos he wants all race use english...
He knew these nantahs will strongly oppose..

 

[[[ForeverAlone]]]

he never EXPECT CHINA WILL BE A SUPER COUNTRY

that why u turn we must learn mandarin


even ang mo also can speak good mandarin go china learn ....

what do you think Singaporean..still feel speaking mandrain is low class ?

 

[huanlo2]

because to lky, chinese edu = communists.

ya lor these jiak kan dang people really look down on chinese speakers

i primary school xdd already being look down by my jiak kang dang engrish teacher

 

[QJPtheSE]

At least we don't go down the path of Ah Tiong. Those who wants to be Ah Tiong can go back to China.

 

[[[ForeverAlone]]]

It is practical. English is more important de

that time is English Number 1 mah....

we have to know english ...British here than americans ...etc

but on the other hand China slowly grow up to become Super country

he faster change said must learn dual language


summary

don't confuse ourself ...ruling a country is just like open a company

attract investment

than your people is your worker for the country

have to " pamper them " in a smart way so they will continue to work

thus investment also come

 

[Mr Anonymous]

I only recognise ntu / nus

 

[watanabe777]

I only recognise ntu / nus

I glad you recognize our new ITEs....

 

[jamomatt]

Too much influence. Political threat against the English educated.

 

[chromehead]

He did.

Chinese medium education in school ceased to exist by the mid 1980's.

U can imagine a whole generation of science, humanities, maths, etc teacher being re-designated as Chinese language teachers just because they are Chinese educated?

Chinese medium education would fall out of relevance eventually since the direction is to progress towards using English as the official working language across all races.


how you expect a chinese medium educated engineer back then to communicate to his superiors or subordinates of other races? like chicken talk to duck.


last time if can study until uni is damn pro, should be good enough to pick up english to stay relevant.