Contrary to the usual openness and tolerance in Malay politics, GPMS (Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung) president Suhaimi Ibrahim has joined two other Umno politicians, Ibrahim Ali and Dr Adham Baba, in displaying a total ignorance of inter-ethnic relations and dynamics. This is further aggravated by their inherent lack of understanding on the reasons most Chinese and Indian parents prefer to send their children to vernacular schools vis--vis national schools.


In a contradictory statement made in response to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's remark that national schools are no longer the popular choice among parents, Suhaimi displayed an encouraging understanding on why Muslim parents prefer religious schools, but made a most notorious and extremist remark on Chinese and Indian parents' decision to send their children to vernacular schools.


Suhaimi claimed that national type schools are allowed in order to serve the needs and demands of communal (both Chinese and Indian) extremists. His statement is a direct insult to both national type school stakeholders of whom he termed as communal extremists and they include:


  • Administrators, educationists, linguists, academicians and teachers of national type schools;
  • Sponsors and donors of national type schools;

  • Textbook writers, producers, printers and others of national type schools;
  • Parents of students in national type schools (including many past and present Barisan Nasional and Opposition leaders);
  • Students of national type schools (past and present)


    Is Suhaimi implying that the choice to be educated in one's mother tongue is an act of extremism? If such is his stand, then there should not be an exception to anyone who wishes to be educated in one's own mother tongue. Any exception here will only reflect badly upon Suhaimi as having a hidden agenda to play up communal politics for his own mileage and ambition.


    To reclaim the glory of national schools, a thorough study must be carried out to establish factual evidence of the decline in popularity and perhaps quality of education vis--vis vernacular schools, in particular the Chinese schools.


    Parents in general would want the best for their children, and their choice is motivated by several factors which include quality and dedication of teachers, facilities, and collaboration between parents and teachers to create a good learning environment.


    Past students of both Tamil and Chinese vernacular schools have contributed greatly to our national development and progress. These schools have also created outstanding leaders and intellectuals such as Dr Koh Tsu Koon.