Malaysians growing up apart risk greater racial divisions, says ex-deputy IGP

 

Former deputy inspector-general of police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay has warned that the growing segregation of Malaysians along different education streams could deepen racial divisions and threaten the country’s long-term unity.

In an interview with Free Malaysia Today, Ayob noted children today are increasingly separated by race from an early age, unlike in the past when Malaysians of different backgrounds grew up together.

“When we were young, Chinese, Indians and Malays were together. Now, from kindergarten to primary school, secondary school and university, they are separated,” he said.

He said such a trend could lead to a more divided society and, if left unchecked, create “many problems” for the country.

Malaysia maintains several education pathways, including national schools, Chinese and Tamil national-type primary schools, religious schools, private schools and other institutions.

Ayob did not single out any particular type of school or call for the abolition of separate education streams.

His remarks, however, touch on a longstanding debate over the role of Malaysia’s education system in promoting national integration, with policymakers and educationists divided over whether separate schooling contributes to racial polarisation or merely reflects wider social and policy divisions.

Ayob, who retired recently after 35 years in the police force, said the issue was especially concerning given Malaysia’s multiracial and multi-religious makeup.

At the same time, he stressed that the country’s relative peace and stability should not be taken for granted.

“We have to defend and preserve the independence and peace we have, bridge the gaps between races and religions, and ensure that we continue moving forward together,” he added.

Non-Malays’ contributions

Drawing from his own experience in the police force, Ayob said Malaysians of different races and faiths had shown they could work closely together in service of the nation.

“I had Chinese and Indian Christians in my counter-terrorism division. And (despite their racial and religious differences) they never harboured any prejudices,” he was quoted as saying by the online portal.

Ayob further called for greater recognition of the contributions made by non-Malays in the country’s struggle for independence and security.

He said non-Malay police officers, particularly Chinese personnel, played a key role in combating the communist insurgency during the 12-year Malayan Emergency, which began in 1948. Malaya gained independence from Britain in August 1957.

“Many Chinese (police) officers sacrificed their lives by infiltrating communist cells to obtain intelligence,” he said.

“We have to recognise the contributions of other races (apart from Malays) in achieving independence,” he added.

He stressed that the non-Malay community’s role in building and defending the nation should never be overlooked, and called for greater appreciation and respect for those contributions. - Mkini