Malacca delegate laments loss of teachers' support

Founded on the back of support from teachers, Umno members are now lamenting that the teaching fraternity has turned its back on the Umno-led government. 

Therefore, Malacca Umno Youth delegate Zali Mat Yassin said, the government must "monitor"  teachers and lecturers to ensure they do not spread "negative influence" among students. 

Zali said that this was crucial as teachers were very influential in their communities. 

"Teachers and lecturers, in the private and public sector, are spreading negative elements and hatred against the government among the youth...

"Because they are unhappy with syllabus changes that add to their work burden, the teachers, though not the majority, are conducting a silent protest," Zali said. 

"We therefore urge that the government pays attention to the teachers, some of whom are silently against the government. This is the opposition's tactic."

Malay teachers from the Sultan Idris Training College (now Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris) played a crucial role in pre-Independence Malay politics. 

Today, school teachers make up the largest portion of the civil service - and also make up the bulk of the voters.