I just have to comment on the letter written by Jeff Ooi of Subang Jaya titled 'A dangerous precedent for Chinese schools.'

If what he has written is true, it is really damning. Recent reports said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir met with representatives from nine chinese associations and guilds to tell them that he was not against Chinese education. Junior officers in the education department were said to have acted on their own for some of the unpopular moves.

We need not say too much on the ramifications of these 'revelations'. The ball is really at his feet this time. Dr M may, like Education Minister Musa Mohamed, denies knowledge of any racial segregation in schools.

I have high regards for PM for coming up with Vision 2020 for Malaysia. After all, how many prime ministers are there who have such a futurist vision and goal-setting?

His actions show he has dare and foresight to lead and to take charge, to do whatever was necessary and so long as the ends justify the means, he will not stop at anything.

As I understand it, he must have many thinkers and advisors to keep him informed of what's happening internationally and locally. If he's a man who does not listen to ideas or advice, he would not have appointed a Chinese political secretary so I assume he is really genuine in looking after the interests and concerns of Chinese Malaysians.

When he first took office, he implemented the 'Look East' policy to enhance our work ethics and competitiveness. Maybe it is now time for him to implement the 'Look In' policy.

I really believe that he or his appointee should look into the successes and failures of the Chinese schools. I am sure many Chinese educationists are willing to share their ideas and experiences.

This should not be misconstrued that Chinese education is superior to others but to highlight our need to examine things objectively devoid of emotion. We live in a world that is fast changing the globalisation, the competitiveness, the quest for knowledge. If we don't adapt, we only have ourselves to blame when we end up being the losers.

We have a daunting task ahead. Education is the basic foundation of nation building. It's time that we pay more attention to our education system and set it right before it implodes due to poor regulations and implementations made by 'clueless' junior officers in our education ministry.