Once again, severe violence was visited upon people who gathered to make their feelings felt.
Every time something like this happens, it makes me cringe so deeply inside.
How many times have the rakyat proven that if you allow us to gather peacefully, events always finish without incident.
While those pandering to the other side of the fence talk about the politicisation of language, I think the more serious issue at hand is the continual use of the police to inflict severe violence against anyone who dares to protest against anything BN.
Why else would the cops make such a fuss over a simple gathering? Every time something even appears to threaten the hegemony of BN and give voice to rampant dissatisfaction, it’s tear gas, water cannons and very big, painful sticks for you.
No one was spared; not even the National Mosque, not even 76 year old poet laureates.
I’m so deeply angered.
The only encouragement is the 8,000 odd crowd today, who bravely faced almost certain harassment. I think the language issue was exacerbated by the extreme frustration many Malaysians feel about the ongoing political crises and scheduled ascension of Najib.
Now, on the issue of language. I used not to have much of an opinion in this matter, until a newfound friend brought up some points I found convincing.
The simple question is: what is the point of teaching Science and Maths in English?
Two possible answers appear most prominent.
1. To improve the standard of science and maths, as well as better prepare students for further education in the sciences.
2. To improve the standard of English in Malaysia.
Fully aware of the language I write this in even, allow me to reproduce in part my friend’s arguments.
I’ll start with number 2. I think it’s quite obvious that attempting to improve English among Malaysians by teaching more subjects in English adds to rather than subtracts from the problem. Grappling with concepts while grappling with language is a recipe for absolute confusion.
Everyone agrees that a higher standard of English is good for all - but would this really be the way to achieve it?
Onto number 1. The core value of learning science and mathematics lies in understanding principles and being able to apply structured, scientific thought.
I don’t have numbers, but let’s do a mental exercise and think about how many Malaysians throughout the country understand science and maths better now, using English as a medium, versus before, when BM was used?
Needless to say, native English speakers like me and members of the higher socioeconomic classes benefit greatly - everything just becomes easier for us. (BM was perhaps one of the hardest subjects to score in for many of my peers).
Conversely, everything becomes harder for the vastly larger numbers of students from rural areas and other communities where English is not spoken as extensively.
I might even go so far as to extrapolate and argue that teaching these subjects in English is elitist.
I know many who read this blog will not agree with me, but I invite you to think not just of those like us, but of the larger country as a whole.
I studied both subjects in BM, as did countless forms before me. Did I have a super hard time doing higher level studies in Science and Maths after Form 5? Did learning these subjects in BM prevent my peers and predecessors from getting into the best universities in the world?
It would appear not.
I think deep down, many with backgrounds similar to mine find BM to be… well, useless is probably the most honest word.
I don’t agree. I have always been proud of our language, and have tried not to let slip whatever limited facility I have with it. I feel much closer to it than Chinese or any other language.
While there’s plenty, plenty that can and should be done to improve the standard of English, I think Malay as a medium of instruction has worked just fine for a long time, and that we should both make an effort to understand the views of our brothers and sisters as well as always keep in mind the greater public good.
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