Don't use racial elements in fight for education rights - Guan Eng

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng has urged vernacular school advocates to focus on education as a basic human right, in fighting their cause.

This, he said, is because using racial elements would be a losing battle.

“When (we) talk about race, people will play the number games (racial quota).

“I don't think this is the country we envision,” he said when attending the handover of RM12 million in educational allocation to 62 Chinese independent high schools and New Era University College.

"If we want a bright future for our education, especially Chinese education, (but) you emphasise on race and the rights of ethnicity, then you will be a loser," he said.

"We should emphasise the fundamental rights," he said, adding this is a universal discourse that will resonate well with all quarters.

“If you feel that Malaysia belongs to all of us, then we should prioritise Malaysia instead of our races. (Only) then, our future generation will be better guaranteed," he said, urging Chinese vernacular advocators to be a pioneer in championing this cause.

[More to follow] - Mkini