Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s recent suggestion that the present format of vernacular school makes racial unity hard is reflective of a one-view perspective of the world. Throughout 22 years of his rule, his dictatorial style of leadership that would not welcome voice of dissent from anyone who differs in opinion with him has proven to be unpopular.

Whether this is the reason for Pak Lah’s big win in the 2003 elections is left for anyone to interpret, but Mahathir is still apparently lashing out on his successor even after Pak Lah has decided to step down.
His inability to tolerate change introduced by his successor, and his sour relationship with the US, Britain, Singapore and Australia, are also indicative of an inability to accept different worldviews.

I wonder if the Tun has heard the saying, ‘unity in diversity’. In a world that is becoming more globablised, we cannot afford to adopt a narrow-minded way of thinking anymore, more so, to rule a whole nation with such an outlook.

We cannot afford to adopt the communistic rule that was at one time prevalent in a world where the leader rules, and the slaves follow, or risk being beheaded. Instead of diversity, everyone has to look the same and talk the same lingo.

By looking at the history of China, it is obvious that such a one-view system has failed to bring progress to China. It was only after Deng Xiao-peng opened up the market that the country flourished the way it has over the past two decades.

Now, the Tun and his son are making a big U-turn, and wanting to revert to a one-school system. Soon, all private institution of higher learning will be nationalised, and suffer the same fate as the public universities.

Tun, if you do not mind me saying, it was during your era that the national school system in this country suffered badly, not to mention the public universities. I remember as a young boy of eight, a primary school teacher of mine who would force two class monitors (I was one of them) to fight with each other in front of the class.

He is also very fond of slapping the pupils. Yet, this same teacher was picked later on to become the headmaster of a primary school, apparently because of his political affiliations.

On the contrary, I personally know the super headmaster of another secondary school in Jinjang. He was posted there to solve the problems with gangsterism in the school. Within the span of two or three years, the school became one of the top in the area. Parents were starting to build up their confidence towards this school and sending their children there.

The fact is because children were sent overseas for their education, we now have various school systems even all the way to the university level to choose from. Many of the younger people are now obtaining a decent education in the private institutions of higher learning. Their younger brothers and sisters can choose between a national or national-type school or even a private school.

The products of these schools will create a diversity of demographics which is healthy in encouraging competition within the country, and helping the nation to respond to changing worldviews. While I can hardly write or read Mandarin, I am happy that my fellow Malaysians - who have gone through the vernacular school system - are able to respond to the vast opportunities of doing business in China.

And, not to forget, India and the Arab nations are also experiencing growth in their economies.

In a free world, consumers should be allowed to choose their brand of education – be it private, vernacular, international or national schools. For the Tun and his son to shout their one-view system would do nothing more than to further alienate Umno from the rest of the population.