KUALA LUMPUR, 1 Dec 2008: Jerlun member of parliament Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has suggested an education system built on nationalistic spirit to unite the people and prevent racial polarisation in the country.
He said with this system, all schools would be under one system only, i.e. the Malaysian or National Education System but using Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction except for Mathematics and Science.
“I think this is the best way to realise the national aspiration for meaningful racial unity to exist in this country,” he told a news conference at the parliament lobby, here, today.
He said the single education system which was implemented by 99% of countries in the world, would also help check racial polarisation which unfortunately was becoming worse in this country.
Mukhriz also proposed that under this system, school students be made to learn their mother tongue and also given the option to learn another language so as to master at least three languages.
“This will simultaneously solve the language problem and give every community the chance to continue using their language and practising their culture in the national education system,” he said.
On another matter, Mukhriz said all quarters, especially Barisan Nasional component party leaders, should stop issuing statements that could cause a rift among, including over the “ketuanan Melayu’ issue.
“While we talk about ‘ketuanan Melayu’, I can assure you that the Malays do not at all feel superior, especially in the economic sphere where the Malays are no way the ‘tuan’ (masters).
“I am attracted to the explanation given by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob at the state assembly sitting recently that the concept of ‘ketuanan Melayu’ basically refers to the sovereignty of our rulers.
“That is why we refer to them (Malay rulers) as ‘tuanku’, and this is not only practised by the Malays as non-Malays too address our sultans and raja as ‘tuanku’. This is where the concept of ‘ketuanan melayu’ comes from…it does not mean that the Malays are the ‘tuan’ and the others are slaves.” — Bernama
