We refer to the Malaysiakini report Cabinet revises 10-subject cap for SPM .

The Malayan Christian Schools’ Council is shocked at the Government’s decision not to include the subject ‘Bible Knowledge’ in the two additional SPM subjects as announced recently.

This despite repeated representations and memoranda to the authorities concerned since June this year.

On Dec 8, it was announced that the two additional SPM subjects are limited to ‘Bahasa Arab’, ‘Bahasa Cina’, ‘Bahasa Tamil’, ‘Chinese Literature’ and ‘Tamil Literature’.

This decision appears to have been hastily taken without due consultation. It has unjustly excluded other subjects which are highly-valued by ethnic and religious minorities in Malaysia.

Among these SPM subjects are ‘Bahasa Iban’, ‘Bahasa Punjab’ and ‘Bible Knowledge’.

This marginalisation is a source of great consternation among the affected communities which constitute a significant percentage of Malaysians.

We urge the cabinet, in particular the education minister, to leave the choice of the two additional SPM subjects to the candidate.

Surely, such an inclusive approach is more in line with the prime minister’s vision of a ‘1Malaysia’, ‘People First, Performance Now’.

The writer is chairperson, Malayan Christian Schools’ Council.