Tamil secondary school? DPM put on the spot

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was today put on the spot after he was asked to approve a Tamil secondary school when launching a Tamil literature event.

Makkal Sakthi Party president R Thanenthiran, who was the host of the event, had made the request during his opening speech. Muhyiddin, who is also the education minister, was the guest of honour.

"We have been independent for almost 57 years and there are so many Chinese secondary schools but not a single Tamil secondary school.

"I know Muhyiddin is sensitive and caring to the Indian community. Thus, I believe this request is something he will consider seriously," he said.

Muhyiddin who took the stage later after being garlanded with flowers that reached his feet acknowledged that the suggestion can become a bit of a hot potato.

"About the proposal for a Tamil secondary school, I need to be careful about this since there is already a national education policy.

"Whether a Tamil secondary school is needed and suitable has to be studied thoroughly," he said.

DPM: Vernacular schools will remain

Although Muhyiddin was non-committal about the idea, he did highlight efforts made by the federal government to promote Tamil education, which includes building Tamil primary schools on its own initiative.

He added that he will use his authority as education minister to ensure that Chinese and Tamil schools continue continue to be part of the education system.

"I have included in the National Education Blueprint (NEB) - so long as there is the sun and moon, so long as this government is BN, Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools will remain in the country.

"Do not heed claims that such schools will be closed as it has never been the case and the NEB solidifies their (vernacular schools)  position in this country."

Part of Malaysia's heritage

Muhyiddin said such schools were part of Malaysia's heritage and thus should be preserved.

"Malays, Chinese or Indians, everyone have their mother tongue and are the country's asset.

"They must not be allowed to die and must be defended while the Bahasa Malaysia will remain the national language and English as the second language," he said.

Muhyiddin later officially launched ten Tamil literature books which he suggested to be translated to the national language by the Malaysian Institute of Translation and Books.

"So even though I do not know Tamil language, I can still know what the Tamil writers are saying," he said.

The NEB had previously come under attack from Chinese educationist group Dong Zong, which claimed that the plan did not acknowledge vernacular schools.