KUCHING: It is more appropriate to get religious schools to teach Jawi (khat) calligraphy to its students. Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said on the introduction of Jawi calligraphy, the question is why Jawi and not Chinese or other calligraphies.
“My question is why khat? Why not Chinese calligraphy which has thousands of years behind it? Let those in Chinese school learn this art form of writing Chinese characters. Then there will not be unnecessary suspicion,” he said.
Masing added that there was no harm teaching khat in agama (Malay religious) schools. On Aug 4, Education Minister Maszlee Malik said he is ready to introduce other styles of calligraphy apart from khat or Jawi writing into the school curriculum.
“It is an interesting issue that must be discussed in detail as the country is made of various ethnic groups,” he said.
The ministry’s decision to introduce khat in Year 4 Bahasa Melayu syllabus from next year has received mixed reaction in the state.
