MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik maintained his stand to discuss the controversial language switch "behind closed doors" even after strong objections were raised at the party's education seminar today.

Many educationists who attended the seminar entitled "The 10- Year 2001-2010 Education Development Plan" at the MCA headquarters voiced their concern on the government's decision to teach Science and Maths in English from next year. Their rejection on the language switch won approval from the floor.

About 500 educationists comprising headmasters and headmistresses from Chinese primary and secondary schools in the Klang Valley, kindergarten teachers and representatives from United Chinese School Committees' Association (Dong Zong), United Chinese School Teachers' Association (Jiao Zong) and Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry attended the seminar.

When asked by malaysiakini for the MCA stand on the new policy, Ling replied that he did not wish to discuss the matter in public.

"Let us not emotionalise the issue," he pleaded.

"We will gather views from various groups, then discuss them with other BN component parties. After this, we will put forward a proposal to the government. We want to do the right thing," he said.

Pressed further on the party's stand, Ling said "I will let you know."

No deadline on official stand

The MCA chief also kept mum when asked about the deadline for the party to make an official stand on the issue.

He also said he was unaware of a report in a Malay daily which claimed that the Youth wings of BN components except the MCA had reached a consensus on the language switch.

Earlier in his opening speech, Ling said that the country has a comparatively sound foundation of teaching the English language and many Malaysians are fluent in it.

"English has given us an edge over many other countries. However, the standard of English among the population is uneven," he said.

He claimed this could be due to the rapid democratisation of education and that the increase in the number of schools could have outpaced the availability of English language teachers and resources.

"The unevenness in the standard of English and a decline in language fluency is of concern to the government. Therefore, the government has decided to take corrective measures," he explained.

Deputy Education Minister Hon Choon Kim said in his winding-speech that "the party has to be cautious in handling the issue"

"We all agree on the principal that the proficiency of English among Malaysians must be improved but we have differing views on how to achieve that objective", he said.

"But from your [participants] feedback, I know what you all want, " Hon added without elaborating..

A total of eight panelists spoke at the well-attended seminar.