PPSMI: Guan Eng backs Najib, suggests alternative

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GEORGE TOWN: DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng welcomed the Cabinet’s decision to revert the teaching of Mathematics and Science to Bahasa Malaysia, a stand at odds with that of his father, party adviser Lim Kit Siang.

Guan Eng said the DAP supported the Cabinet’s decision but suggested the Government look into having an option for the two subjects to be taught in English in urban national schools.

“The DAP wants to express its support for the reversal of the teaching of Maths and Science in English policy (PPSMI).

“But we have seen that there is a strong objection by (former prime minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and we know that he can have a very big influence on the Government.

“We do not want these attacks to weaken (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) as it did (his predecessor) Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, so I suggest, as a way out, that there be some sort of an option or alternative,” Guan Eng told reporters after launching the State Transportation Council Friday.

He said a post on Dr Mahathir’s blog stating that more than 70% of people disagreed with the decision to revert to Bahasa Malaysia may be a reflection of urban parents who supported the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English.

Guan Eng added, however, that Chinese and Tamil primary schools should go back to teaching the subjects in their mother tongue.

On Thursday, Kit Siang was reported describing the Cabinet’s decision as “shocking and a step backward.”

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