I urge Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem to stop being a partner to the “stupid” education policy of the BN government.

While many may have commended Adenan for being vocal against the “stupid” education policy neglecting the teaching of English language in schools, it does not change the fact that it is Adenan’s blind loyalty to Najib Abdul Razak and the Umno-led BN government that enables the “stupid” education policy to be implemented and to ruin our children’s future.

Adenan’s statement yesterday calling the federal government’s education policy “stupid” was the 9th time that he has openly criticised such policy over the past one-and-a-half years. Yet, such so-called “stupid” policy continues right under the nose of Adenan in Sarawak.

I wish to remind Adenan that he is the government of the day and thus is entrusted by the people of Sarawak to implement policies which benefit Sarawakians. As the government, it is not sufficient for him to merely criticise and talk only. He has a duty to stop such “stupid” policy from being implemented in Sarawak, failing which, he is just as good as the opposition which has no executive power to implement policies.

Furthermore, given the present political situation, the 25 Sarawak Members of Parliament from the Barisan Nasional are in the position to turn BN into the opposition. Without the support of Adenan and his 25 Sarawak BN MPs, Umno-BN will be the opposition and will not be able to implement such a “stupid” education policy in Sarawak and also in Malaysia.

Knowing that the education policy is “stupid” and yet continues to let it be implemented in Sarawak, Adenan is as guilty as the Umno-BN who is the maker of the policy. Adenan, his PBB and the Sarawak BN coalition parties are thus partners in the “stupid” policy of the BN.

Therefore, I urge Adenan to act and stop only talking. Sarawakians have had enough of his rhetoric while our children continue to be subject to the “stupid” education policies and their future compromised.

For the sake of Sarawak and Malaysia, Adenan should lead the group of 25 Sarawak BN MPs to withdraw from the Umno-led BN and make Umno the opposition in this country. This will make Adenan the saviour of Malaysia and our future generations to come.

It is thus a choice for Adenan to make, ie:

1. To choose a ‘safe’ path with Umno-BN, whereby Adenan’s tenure of office will not be disturbed but Sarawak and Malaysia as a whole will continue to be ruined by the Umno and Najib; or

2. To withdraw from Umno-BN to save the country and our future generations. There may be some fight-back from Umno, but such fight-back has its limitation because without the 25 Sarawak BN MPs, Umno will be the minority and cannot be the government.

Therefore, I urge Adenan to make the conscientious decision to withdraw from BN and to spare our children the “stupid” education policy of the Umno-BN government.

CHONG CHIENG JEN is Sarawak DAP chairperson, MP for Bandar Kuching and assemblyperson for Kota Sentosa.