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I wish to add my comments to the collection already posted by other readers on the issue of how the education system impinges on our national unity.

One cannot deny that education plays a big role in shaping the minds of our citizens. In fact, most people have been extremely quick in making an association between the two. But more often than not, the association is of a negative nature. But I think differently on the matter.

Most Malaysians fail to realise that vernacular schools are an asset to our country. Most parents who send their children to vernacular schools think little about what their children can accomplish for their country when they grow up, armed as they are with the specialties they have acquired by attending vernacular schools.

They can be forgiven for their selfish thoughts, for most of them know little about national governance. But when politicians forget about this, I won't forgive them.

Nowhere else in Southeast Asia do citizens of other countries speak as many languages as we do. For decades, the multi-ethnicity of our society has formed the basis of our national identity. Those in favour of abolishing vernacular schools are proposing that we root out that identity altogether.

I hope the government now at least has woken up to the mess created by the earlier implementation of an education policy which stripped away the emphasis the English language deserved, leaving a large throng of English-illiterate graduates roaming the streets, jobless.

In retrospect, this step which the education ministry took - at a time when globalisation was taking shape - was incredibly bold, and the consequences have proved proportionately devastating. Perhaps they could be best described as shortsighted.

Now, just when everyone else is busy establishing trade with China, I would be appalled if the ministry should decide to abolish, say, Chinese vernacular schools only to look back 20 years down the line and repent - then suggest teaching science and maths in Mandarin to remedy the situation. It would have been too late by then.

I think the problem we are facing with national unity boils down to inter-racial understanding and tolerance which should extend well beyond the compounds of the academic institutions.

For instance, the Chinese like to keep their traditions, wherever they are. They like to be able to learn the Chinese language in vernacular schools. Abolishing Chinese schools just won't please them. The bumiputeras may not see this point because to them, the national language is Bahasa Melayu.

In reality, they don't run the risk of losing touch with their mother-tongue whether vernacular schools are kept or not.

The government's attitude towards racial treatment is not helping the situation either. Racial discrimination is now rampant. Many non-bumiputeras are dissatisfied with the neglect and sometimes deprivation of various opportunities the government imposes on them.

To make the matter worse, a handful of the privileged bumiputeras think they rightly deserve the privileges they are enjoying with no regard for meritocracy. This attitude is apparent even from some of the letters sent in by malaysiakini's readers.

Grievances start to show when certain races win hands down while others who truly merit the trophy are robbed of the fruit of their struggle. How will nationalism and patriotism be instilled if dissatisfaction is continuously fueled by unfair treatment?

How will understanding and unity be forged between races disgruntled with one another as a result? National service camps may bring the teenagers of different races together for a few months, but if the racial inequality doesn't stop, the ugly truth will inevitably reveal itself to them someday and they will still be disgruntled.

I personally and strongly believe that just treatment of all races is the only way to national unity. I find the idea that only Muslims can be prime ministers extremely laughable. I for one, would not believe the politicians who make this remark say it because it is the word of God.

If only 10 percent of all bumiputeras would turn up to vote in general elections compared to the 100 percent turn-up of non-bumiputeras, they would have said a different thing altogether.

If Malaysia is truly for Malaysians, all Malaysians should be able to contest for the premiership if they are competent to do the job, regardless of their religious beliefs. Unless, of course, we accept that all Malaysians must be Muslims. It doesn't make sense.

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