[Malaysia] Umno Youth objects MCA's request for more Chinese schools

Bernama news agency

11 March 2005

Umno Youth objects MCA's request for more Chinese schools

PUTRAJAYA, March 11 (Bernama) -- The Umno Youth has objected MCA's request to the government to increase the number of Chinese primary schools under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. Its vice-head Khairy Jamaluddin said the movement hoped the government would not accept the proposal as it was contrary to the government's policy of strengthening national schools.

He said although it was the right of Barisan Nasional component parties and non-governmental organisations to submit proposals and views on the ninth plan, the movement urged the government not to accept MCA's proposal. "If the government agrees to the proposal, its plan to narrow the inter-racial unity gap through education will not materialise," he told reporters after entertaining 16 Bumiputera high achievers in last year's Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia here Friday night.

He, however, said Umno Youth supported the government's effort to improve the standard of Mandarin and Tamil in national schools. "The excuse that Chinese students go to Chinese schools to learn their mother tongue cannot be accepted as a reason anymore. Why they cannot learn their mother tongue in national schools?" he said.

Khairy said national schools were the identity of Malaysians and this must continue. "The national schools are not only for the Malays but also for Chinese and Indians. We want national schools to be the students' first choice. For this reason, we disagree with the MCA's proposal," he said.

He, however, hoped the matter could be resolved through the understanding in BN.