Umno leader: Vernacular schools obstacle to unity

 

Stirring the hornets' nest, Cheras Umno chief Syed Ali Alhabshee urged the government to look into setting up a single-stream school system.

In a blog posting today, Syed Ali said the time has perhaps come to abolish vernacular schools, which are considered a platform to fan racial sentiments.

"Vernacular schools are no longer practical in this country seeing how it had sprung from the British colonial administration, which wanted to divide the races," he added.

However, Syed Ali (right) stressed that the move is not to "kill" mother-tongue languages of other races, which could be taught in the single-stream school.

Being in line with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s 1Malaysia concept, he called on BN component party leaders to view single stream schools as tools to shape a Malaysian identity, irrespective of race.

He also noted that the suggestion to debate the matter at next month’s Umno general assembly did not mean that the party wanted to be a "hero" but that it prioritised racial unity.

Syed Ali said that since its inception in 1946, the basis of Umno’s struggle is to do whatever is necessary to ensure that all races live in peace.

"Under the stewardship of Umno, no race has been sidelined by BN, which is sensitive to the interests of all races in this country," he added.

Syed Ali also explained that his defence of a single stream school is not to shortchange or oppress the other races.

On the contrary, he said, Umno believes that national unity could only be shaped by the education system.

The Umno leader recalled how the issue was raised by the late educationist Aminuddin Baki half a century ago due to his foresight that racial problems would arise as a result of the different streams.

An environment for interaction

On the same note, Syed Ali did not discount the possibility that a handful of teachers, regardless of races, would fan racial sentiments among the students.

"To stop this from becoming widespread, a single stream school system is the best medium to take steps in inculcating clear and genuine interracial ties

"Such schools will also provide an environment for students of all races to interact and understand the sensitivities of others, apart from ensuring political, economical and social stability," he added.

Syed Ali was also disappointed with certain quarters, including MCA leaders, who were against the single stream system due to concerns that their racial identity and language would erode.

He said MCA leaders could offer their views but should utilise the proper channels in order to avoid their statements being misinterpreted by those with political agendas.

Citing Singapore as an example, Syed Ali said there are no Chinese-medium schools in the republic, whose citizens are predominantly of Chinese origin.

Similarly, he added, Thailand and Indonesia have done the same as well.