It is difficult to discuss and debate an issue today without risking being branded an ethnic chauvinist or as supposedly under the influence of parochial communal interest. However, the act of branding a discourse on a relevant issue such as the need for education reform is in itself a mischievous act of racism.

Perhaps such reaction has become the norm for our amateurish 'social guardians' whenever they find a possible outcome of a discussion or debate to be detrimental to their hidden agenda.

I read in disbelief how a veteran Malay politician accused the Chinese-based political parties in Barisan Nasional of being influenced by another opposition Chinese-based party when they proposed the implementation of a delayed partial immersion programme to introduce English as a medium of instruction for Mathematics and Science. This is without stunting the development of learners' mother tongues, impeding the development of their cognitive/academic abilities, promoting negative attitudes towards the first language, and inadvertently resulting in low achievement in conceptual subjects such as Mathematics and Science.

Partial immersion is common in bilingual education programmes which allocate equal time and status to both the L1 (mother tongue) and the L2 (English). Reasons given for the proposal highlighted the need to differentiate linguistic communication ability and cognitive learning ability, social background, lack of environment to facilitate learning in a bilingual context, teaching resources and others.

The supporters of the delayed partial immersion programme have been very careful to convey their views and opinions on facts and case studies based on other similar bilingual programmes worldwide.

Unfortunately, Gerakan (the Chinese majority non-racial party within the race-based ruling coalition) which led the efforts to offer a counter proposal on this matter, has been told point blank that it is a race-based party and ought not to be afraid to lose its ethnic votes in order to support the ruling government's original proposal to implement the bilingual system starting from primary one.

This was also echoed by pro-Mahathir daily New Straits Times (Oct 7), which reminded the party "to be more mindful of thatas the party has wobbled against the extremist onslaught, most glaringly on the contentious terrain of education reform".

Face it, Gerakan: Malaysian politics is an ingrained politics of race and it is quite common to find politicians and local newspapers prosper on the manipulation of ethnic politics to create major headlines or being seen as a prime spokesperson of racial harmony and unity but, alas, without sincerity.

This is sad because true journalism is supposed to promote wider space for intellectual discourse and discussion while real leaders in a plural community are supposed to inspire politics that is ethnic-neutral. Politics without principle and sincere conviction is a social ill. Let's not speak of national unity if we cannot be serious.

In order to encourage the creation of a plural society not at odds with its own diverse identity, our political and social struggle must focus on interests of the whole and reduce ethnic cleavage in policy making, review and deliberation. Those who do not agree with Gerakan's proposal should first seek to engage its leaders to understand the reasoning behind their decision and not be tempted to hum the ethnic mantra and racial branding.