Wan Fayhsal: PN never discussed closing vernacular schools

 

KKB BY-ELECTION | Perikatan Nasional has never discussed closing down vernacular schools but wants its curriculum to reflect the national character, said Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.

“PN’s stand on vernacular schools is clear.

“We cannot close vernacular schools. As to what we debated in Parliament, we want vernacular schools to be enriched with the national curriculum so it reflects the national character. This is the government’s education policy. So it is a different story.

“But on principle, PN will not close down vernacular schools. How can we do that? We are not part of the government and since the onset, we have not discussed this as a major issue,” Wan Fayhsal (above) told reporters in Batang Kali, Selangor, today.

Earlier today, Malaysiakini reported DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok challenging PN chief Muhyiddin Yassin to declare that his coalition is not opposed to vernacular schools and would not support efforts to close them.

Her challenge came in the wake of PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari honing in on the coalition government’s candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election Pang Sock Tao’s vernacular education background.

Fadhli has since claimed that he is not against vernacular schools but questioned the DAP candidate’s reasons for not listing this information in her profile from the beginning.

PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari

He inferred that this information could have been deliberately concealed due to concerns that it might affect votes.

Meanwhile, Wan Fayhsal said PN believes Chinese and Indian voters are mature enough to evaluate if the coalition is against vernacular schools.

“What has happened in the past week involves some of our leaders making comments on this issue only in response to the education background (of the candidate), nothing to do with vernacular schools,” he added. - Mkini