PM would have to walk the talk on education including Chinese education

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to walk the talk by showing that he is truly liberal on education including Chinese education.

In the modern world, we notice the change in the educational world. For various reasons, we can see Barisan Nasional (BN) gestures to independent Chinese schools especially on the eve of elections.

Dr Tan notices that last night the Prime Minister has assured all 60 independent Chinese schools in the country that they can continue without any interference. He has talked about the amended Education Act 1996 to guarantee the existence of such schools in the country when he was still the deputy Education Minister.

“This shows that Umno and the BN government has always been liberal and all-inclusive in its policies,” he said during the 90th anniversary celebration of the Chong Hwa independent high school here last night.

Having made his assurance, Najib rushed back to the House to vote in the division to pass the Supply Bill (budget) 2010 at about 11 pm. BN had 64 votes and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) 63 votes. This is history, showing the change in the political scene.

Just as there is a new political atmosphere, education evolves. Over 60,000 non-Chinese students attend Chinese schools. All students must learn Bahasa Malaysia. They witness the use of English.

Previous Prime Ministers including Tun Mahathir did say pleasant things about Chinese education especially before elections. Najib is no exception.

Obviously, the Prime Minister is aware that the PR government has given five independent Chinese high schools in Penang RM 2 million this year. The PR government in Selangor has done likewise to four independent Chinese high schools. In Kelantan and Perak, PR governments have offered land to these schools in the respective states.

After his kind words in Chung Hwa, Kuala Lumpur, Najib may want to show how liberal he can be. What is important is that people must be able to see that he does fulfil his promise.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw