The vehement response against National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general N Siva Subramaniam is nothing short of McCarthyism a la Malaysia. The disproportionate vindictive response by Umno politicians and members of the Education Ministry towards a very summary and unproven report smells of a cover-up and looking for a scapegoat.

The issue of racial integration is not only very real in school but also the nation as a whole. We all know it is a failure given the many testimony of teachers, parents and students. There is no sense not admitting the failure by sweeping all the problems under the carpet.

NUTP is not only morally and ethically bound to raise the issue of racial discrimination but is bound by its charter to do so.

The vitriolic response towards Siva only heightens the suspicion that the issue may be even bigger than originally anticipated. The fact that the findings made public were so general and lacking in facts and disclosure was also very telling.

The Education Ministry should disclose the complete facts, including the methodology used and response of the complainants and school authorities to allay suspicions that the issue has degenerated into a witch-hunt and cover-up. Anything else is just not acceptable at this stage given the acerbic attacks on Siva.

Umno politicians and Malaysian bureaucrats are famous for adopting the worst of the Western traditions and practising without its merit. The fact that they are employing methods of one of the most shameful periods of American politics is an even bigger shame on them.