The rift between the governors and the staff of the oldest Chinese independent school in the country ended in a dramatic turn of events when eight of its governors stepped down from the executive committee.

For the past few months, principal Goh Kean Seng and teachers of the Confucian Private Secondary School, or Zunkong, have complained about the year-long interference in the school's administration by the board's deputy chairperson Liew Kon Seng, and its adviser Kok Kim Tong.

The tension between both parties turned sour after principal Goh was issued a show-cause letter by its chairperson Lee Yam Hooi last week, asking him to explain why he should not be terminated.

Though Lee has asserted several times that he has no plan to fire the principal, many were doubtful about his remarks.

Surprised many

Some had suspected that the full board meeting on Sunday was held to sack the principal.

However, yesterday's meeting surprised many when eight of its 14-member executive committee withdrew from the committee.

Those who stepped down included the controversial governors, Liew and Kok, both of whom had been asked to apologise to the teachers for belittling them in a meeting.

At the same time, secretary Ang Chia Liong, treasurer Tan Ah Ta with other influential governors such as vice-chairperson Lim Kim Wah and prominent businessman Tee Hock Seng also decided to step down.

However, all of them maintained their position as ordinary governors.

Goh, when contacted by malaysiakini , described the change in the executive committee as "the victory of the public opinion" in the bid to defend the independence of the school administration.

"The governors have shown their courage and intelligence (in resolving the rift)," Goh said.

Respect for public opinion

Over the past few months, speculation was rife that the crisis of Zunkong might have links to certain governors who are close to MCA in its bid to take over the school as a step to control Dong Jiao Zong, the Chinese education movement.

Many Chinese organisations had hoped that the dispute would be resolved in an amicable manner.

Goh reiterated that the respect paid to the public opinion has averted an "open fighting" between both parties.

It was expected earlier that if the full board committee could not resolve the matter, it would be brought to the emergency meeting (EGM) of the sponsors, a new battlefield for both the governors and staff.

Goh also applauded Lee as a "brave and sincere" leader who has retained his role as the chairperson in leading the school.

"It has never been our intention to oust the governors, we only want to solve the problem," he said.

The board passed a new resolution, limiting the term of the chairperson to two terms or four years' only.

"We hope the board of governors will make an effort to improve the school's constitution, so that the spirit of democracy and transparency can be practised," he pointed out.

Founded in 1906, Zunkong is the oldest Chinese independent school in Malaysia and considered the ''home'' of Chinese educationists.

One of its prominent leader, Lim Lian Geok, whose citizenship has been stripped off, launched the Chinese education movement while he was in Zunkong.