In a recent malaysiakini report, PAS Youth chief Mahfuz Omar opined that the controversy over Umno's proposal to change the medium of instruction for Science and Mathematics to English in all primary schools was not "a problem of one race only" but a "common issue".

The member of parliament for Pokok Sena in Kedah also expressed hope to "meet and discuss" the issue with Dong Jiao Zong the umbrella body of the financial contributors, managers and teachers of Chinese-language primary and secondary schools in Malaysia.

That PAS and Dong Jiao Zong emphasise on the question of preserving the Islamic and Chinese systems of education at the primary level is not new.

As early as 1985, a top leader of PAS, Abdul Hadi Awang who is now the party's acting president and menteri besar of Terengganu had initiated dialogues with Dong Jiao Zong and other Chinese civil association on education, culture, socio-economic and even political issues of democracy and human rights.

Hadi had recently met Chinese associations in the Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall, to exchange ideas, opinions and information.

Seen in this historical context, Mahfuz's proposal to meet Dong Jiao Zong is but a continuation of the dialogue process between PAS and the Chinese Malaysian community.

Unusual alliance

What is really new is the fact that Dong Jiao Zong is now joined not only by an ex-ally of PAS DAP but also the Chinese allies of Umno, namely MCA, Gerakan and the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP).

The three major components of the ruling coalition have already declared their opposition to Umno's proposal to change the medium of instruction for the two subjects in Chinese primary schools.

Besides, another two Malay-predominated multiethnic opposition parties, Keadilan and PRM, have also publicly registered their strong reservation while calling for wider consultation on the part of the government.

Moreover, within the Umno grassroots itself, there is an undercurrent of opposition to the proposal, as indicated by an attempt of a Johor division to move a no-confidence motion against the Umno Education Minister Musa Mohamed, who is a confidant of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Seen in an overall context, Mahfuz is right in pointing out that the issue is not a racial one. The opposition to the proposal has clearly transcended ethnic and religious, and even partisan lines.

From another perspective, it means the Umno top leadership is rather isolated not only by the opposition parties on the other side of the political divide, but also within the coalition it leads.

The isolation is evidenced by Gerakan's drastic shift of position from preparing to support the proposal to opposing it now.

Gerakan a Chinese-predominated multiethnic ally of Umno has always been perceived by the dominant faction of MCA and a segment of the Chinese community to be a 'tool' of Umno to check and balance against MCA and DAP.

According to an Aug 2 report in the Umno-controlled New Straits Times , a Gerakan vice-president, Dr Koh Tsu Koon, was quoted as suggesting that Science and Mathematics should only be taught in English in secondary schools.

The former Unversiti Sains Malaysia (USM) lecturer in education also said: "We support the move to teach the subjects in English but more studies should be made on the best level or stage where the switch can be made. We feel Form One is better than Year One."

Koh, an American graduate and a Fulbright scholar, is also the chief minister of Penang and chairperson of the ruling coalition in the state. Before involving in active politics and joining Gerakan in 1982, Koh was a vernacular education activist and part of Dong Jiao Zong's think tank.

Arrogant move

Echoing the view expressed earlier by the president of Keadilan, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who suggested that a Royal Commission of Inquiry be set up to look into the issue Koh said the government should get more opinions and feedback from educationists, especially those from universities, colleges and the teachers themselves.

He also stressed that learning the two subjects in English would be too much of a burden for a Year One pupil, especially if he or she speaks the mother tongue at home because the child will have to learn the (English) language and grasp the concepts of the two subjects at the same time.

Koh's views are shared by MCA secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh, who told delegates at the party's recent 49th annual general assembly that Umno's proposal could result in the decline of both the proficiency of languages and the standard of Science and Mathematics simultaneously.

Ting is a UK-trained sociologist and a former lecturer in Univeristi Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

Consulted by malaysiakini on Aug 2, the president of the Islamic Science Academy of Malaysia, Prof Dr Shaharir Mohammad Zain also opined that it is easier for students in primary schools to learn Science and Mathematics in their own mother tongues.

A prominent political scientist of UKM, Prof P Ramasamy also pointed out in malaysiakini that Malay students in rural areas may become the victims of the new system proposed by Umno.

Ramasamy, a widely respected Indian Malaysian intellectual also described the decision of the Umno-dominated government to implement the new system amid widespread opposition as "arrogant".

Great test

Seen in the context of the politics of succession, the issue is certainly a great test for premier-in-waiting Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who seems to be caught between his instinctive loyalty to Mahathir on one hand, and the popular demand of the multiethnic voters on the grounds on the other.

Three possible scenarios could arise:

One, if Abdullah concedes to the demand of the broad opposition which includes MCA, Gerakan and SUPP, his image as an 'indecisive' and 'weak' leader would certainly be strengthened among the more radically elitist or authoritarian faction of Umno led by Mahathir.

According to these authoritarians, once leaders have publicly put forward an idea, the 'mob' should not be allowed to object, let alone 'force' the leaders to withdraw.

Otherwise, having tasted power by successfully 'forcing' leaders to concede, the 'mob' would be increasingly daring to demand more and more, and not afraid of 'threatening' the government

His 'weakness' and 'indecisiveness' would also be used by MCA's Dr Ling Liong Sik to consolidate his position and further marginalise his rival party faction, popularly known as Team B.

Ling already once snubbed the premier-in-waiting during the 'peace negotiation' when he refused to recognise his authority and instead insisted on calling Mahathir directly to confirm the authenticity of the written 'peace' agreement.

Two, if Abdullah insists in implementing the proposal amid the widespread and multi-partisan opposition, not only would Umno be in trouble in the coming general election, MCA, Gerakan, SUPP, MIC and other component parties would also be subjected to tremendous pressure from the ground.

Three, if Abdullah chooses to do, say or hear nothing, and not to make a firm and clear-cut decision as soon as possible, then he will certainly be popularly and correctly perceived as 'irrelevant'.

The diehard supporters of Mahathir could then cite the popular perception and sentiment to ask the premier to postpone his retirement, or to take a more active role, after formal retirement, behind the scene 'to guide' the new prime minister.

In any case, the heated controversy which has arisen in the first place shows that Abdullah is not in control of the political discourses of the nation.

It also reveals that efficient bureaucrats, smart but self-serving think tanks and some unthinking official journalists could be lousy leaders and advisers in democratic politics.

JAMES WONG WING ON is chief analyst of Strategic Analysis Malaysia (SAM) which produces the subscriber-based political report, Analysis Malaysia

. Wong is a former member of parliament (1990-1995) and a former columnist for the Sin Chew Jit Poh Chinese daily. He read political science and economics at the Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. While in Sin Chew, he and a team of journalists won the top awards of Malaysian Press Institute for 1998 and 1999.