The language issue — the switch to English in the teaching of Science and Mathematics in all primary schools next year — is actually blown out of proportion by Umno and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad himself.

If I remember correctly, it started off with a statement from Mahathir throwing a challenge to the public regarding the language switch. He possibly assumed the majority of the people wanted the switch, based on a few favourable statements from some leaders. Little did he know that a large portion of the people, particularly the Chinese educationists, opposed the switch because they fear such a move would prove detrimental to their students who have scored well, studying Science and Mathematics in Chinese.

Umno politicians have since seen it fit to launch vitriolic attacks on the Chinese educationists for voicing their opposition to the language change. The dissenters have been labelled 'chauvinists' and 'selfish', among other things, for having the interest of the students at heart. This is really unreasonable and uncalled for.