Share |

Monday, 5 September 2016

Johor crown prince scoffs at '1Malaysia', moots 'Bangsa Johor' schools

Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has criticised Putrajaya's "1Malaysia" slogan, questioning whether it really promotes unity as claimed.

"I hope in the near future... the Johor government will introduce an education module for Johoreans. We'll make Bangsa Johor.

"Malaysia has it too - 1Malaysia. But answer me, where is 1Malaysia?

"You have Indian schools, you have Chinese schools, you have Malay schools. From young, you tell them not to be united.

"Then when they grow up, you tell them to be united?" he said in a dialogue session which was later uploaded on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page.

Tunku Ismail said he envisioned a different direction for Johor's education system.

"In future, there will not be Indian, Chinese or Malay schools in Johor... There will only be Bangsa Johor schools.

"From a young age, we'll teach them how to be united, how to respect each other's religion and how to respect other races," he said.

However, he said religious schools would be retained for the purposes of the religion.

"You need to educate young Johoreans. They must know Johor's history. They must know the strengths of Johor and why the federal government needs us," he said.

Tunku Ismail went on to suggest that Johor should emulate the assertiveness of Sarawak.

"Look at Sarawak, Sarawak is smart, Sarawak is united. That is why when Sarawak rants something, the (federal) government has to listen.

"If there is no Sarawak, they would be gone. If there is no Johor, they would also be gone.

"This is the important part, when you (Johoreans) are united, the Johor government has more power and can speak up. It can do anything and they (the federal government) is forced to listen because they need our support," he said.