LETTER | Ministry: 'Khat' decision stands, appears even on banknotes so reads the Malaysiakini report. Behind the veil of anonymity, the ministry has insinuated racist sentiments behind the opposition. Looking at the large number of comments, this decision has struck a raw nerve among the rakyat. No one is disputing that khat should appear on banknotes.

I am not Chinese-educated but I agree with the position of the Chinese and Tamil education groups opposing the move in that it will burden the vernacular school pupils. Yes, it will take only six pages of the 162-page Standard 4 BM textbook.

But what is not stated is that there will be Standard 5 and 6 and then the secondary years to contend with. What is lacking is what has been planned for the following years. 

Yes, it was decided in the Umnoputras era. But lest Teo Nie Ching has forgotten, she is part of the Pakatan Harapan government - a new administration that won GE14 on the agenda of promised change.

This is not the change wanted or expected in our education policy. I quote: "The ministry is committed to building a Malaysia which is well-versed in the nation's traditions".

Using noble-sounding ideals will not hide the fact that other than ulterior motives, the policy has no real added value to the BM subject. Yes, there have been two mercenaries, supposedly of the academic world, in support of the move who claim to know that khat can help pupils earn a living later and be more creative. My God! What a disingenuous way to sell one's soul.

A total of 138 branches and parliamentary liaison committees, 14 DAP Youth and grassroots leaders as well as 13 (maybe 11 now) state assemblypersons have urged DAP cabinet members to oppose the proposal. At least, among the rank-and-file, some in the DAP still has not lost their conscience. 

Those at the federal level have morphed into MCA 2.0. For the power and privileges given to them, they have toed the Umnoputras line (yes, make no mistake about it, Dr Mahathir Mohamad is running the Pakatan Harapan administration like the Umnoputras outfit of old). 

Yes, they have been tamed to be like the running dogs of the Umnoputras of old, crawling out from their political master's sarong when summoned to do his bidding.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.