PPSMI: Muhyiddin told to back claim with data

Zaid Ibrahim seizes on the DPM’s statement that the policy doesn’t work, saying it contradicted with former education minister Hishammuddin’s claim.

PETALING JAYA: Kita chief Zaid Ibrahim today demanded that Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin provide data to support his claim that the policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) has failed.

He pointed out that Muhyiddin’s statement yesterday contradicted a claim attributed to his predecessor at the Education Ministry, Hishammuddin Hussein.

Muhyiddin claimed yesterday that the government’s decision to scrap PPSMI rested on a “firm basis”. He said the decision was in fact made in 2009, after an evaluation of the effectiveness of the policy.

“We at the ministry do not make hasty decisions,” he said. “We make decisions not based on politics, but on what is best for the people and the nation. We have enough information on PPSMI. We know how PPSMI was implemented and its outcome.”

Zaid said it was not enough for the ministry to claim to know better; it must provide evidence to back its claim.

He added that Muhyiddin needed to explain the contradiction between his statement and the news reports in November 2008 that quoted Hishammuddin as saying that students had been doing better in the UPSR examination since the PPSMI was introduced.

According to the reports, Hishammuddin said it was possible that the improved performance was due to PPSMI.

“Muhyiddin must show us the data during his tenure and compare it to Hishammuddin’s tenure, and the public can decide,” said Zaid.

He also referred to claims by the Parents Action Group for Education (PAGE) and other organisations that student pass rates had improved since PPSMI was introduced.

“Kita’s stand is this: Why don’t you give them an option?” Zaid said. “It’s been going on for nine years. Why the flip flop? Why change? Let the schools and parents decide. Give them flexibility.”

Mahathir praised

Muhyiddin said yesterday that the decision to abolish PPSMI was final. Referring to this, Zaid said it was “just a political decision” that could still be reversed.

He praised former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for introducing PPSMI.

“I’m quite surprised that Dr Mahathir is keeping very quiet,” said Zaid, who has often criticised the former premier for his autocratic style.

“One of the things he did well during his time is that he got it spot-on on this issue. You cannot acquire good knowledge in science and technology in Malay.”

He said replacing PPSMI with the MBMMBI (Upholding the Malay Language, Strengthening the English Language) policy was an “emotional decision”.

“For rurals, keep it in Malay if you want,” he said. “But giving people an option should be there.”

Zaid also attacked Pakatan Rakyat over its conflicting stand on the issue.

“Last week, DAP said they supported PPSMI, yesterday PKR said they don’t,” he said. “This goes to show that Pakatan does not have a common policy. Just like in the hudud issue. I have yet to see them agree on any fundamental important issue.

“The only thing they have in common is to whack BN.”

He described PKR’s stand as reflective of “sensational, cheap, emotional, politics”. PKR wanted to be seen as championing rural Malays, he said.