By Lazarus
Father Arthur Julien who died in September 11, 2004 played an immeasurable role in the realization of the Heng Ee High School. He was a well respected figure in Penang for his ceaseless effort in supporting Chinese education here and for being able to speak fluent Mandarin. Many older generation Catholics and those whose lives have been changed for the better by Father Julien’s works remembers him with affection.
Father Julien had touched many with his generosity and effort in promoting literacy here. Just like the La Salle Brothers, the IJ Sisters, the Methodist and Anglican Missions, Father Julien had dedicated his life to education in Malaysian.They have transformed countless lives with their selfless contribution based on their love of educating people from all walks of life all, irrespective of creed or colour. Father Julien is one of those outstanding ones. Unlike the Christian Mission, what we have today in Malaysia are Little, Mullahs, Little Napoleons and Little Emperor's who run their schools with religious and racists bigotry. Just look what happened to Convent Pulau Tikus after a certain 'Hajjah' became the Principal. Her 'famous' words to the workers were that if they couldn't bring down the Cross on the school roof they must simply "Pecahkan sahaja!" (hack it off). If you go to Convent Pulau Tikus you will see a cross without the horizontal bar standing on the school's roof.
It is very sad indeed that the school founded by Father Julien has now seen it's Christian heritage wiped away upon his death by the school administrators. For example, the School Chapel has now been converted into a classroom. Just imagine, if a Surau (Muslim prayer room) in a school was done away with and converted into a classroom. If at Convent Pulau Tikus, Good Friday was dropped as a school holiday and replaced with an extra holiday for Hari Raya Haji, at Heng Ee High School, Good Friday has been dropped and replaced with Qing Ming as a school holiday.
We must not allow these irresponsible, self serving bigots to change the identity of the Mission Schools.
No comments:
Post a Comment