While I agreed with Dr Mana that a common language in schools (from elementary onwards) would helpful. However, I think he has over-simplified the problem.

The Swiss speaks three languages, but they are united and there is no discrimination. The Chinese Indonesians almost exclusively speak Bahasa Indonesia, yet they are still discriminated. The blacks in the United States speak only English and proud to be American (I guess because US is world's only superpower), but the interaction between the blacks and the white majority is still minimum.

I am a Malaysian of Chinese decent and a product of vernacular (primary) school back in the 60s. I went to a English-medium secondary school just two years before the medium of instruction was switched to Bahasa Malaysia. In addition to Bahasa Malaysia, I remembered having studied Arts subjects (History, Geography) in Bahasa Malaysia and science subjects in English. My cohorts and I are required to get a C6 for Bahasa Malaysia in order to qualify for a place in Form Six. I remembered I studied Prosa Lama, pantun just to get through MCE.

Chinese Malaysians are pragmatic people. In the past two decades, many parents sent their children to vernacular (primary) schools not because of their love of Chinese language. If English schools are available, many of these parents would have sent their kids to them, while they study Bahasa Malaysia as one subject. The problem is because national schools are not an attractive options ... and we know the reasons.

The best way to 'kill' vernacular (Chinese) primary schools is to introduce English as the medium of instruction. And all students are required to study Bahasa Malaysia and make it mandatory to pass the subject in SPM and STPM. Of course, meritocracy must be in place for school principals, heads of department and teachers to ensure academic excellence. Most ethnic Chinese parents would send their kids to these schools.

I would not be surprised that some Malay Malaysians would also send their kids to these schools. Over time, the majority of Malays would also send their kids to these schools. Let's face it, English has much higher 'market value' than Bahasa Malaysia. It is the international lauguage of science, technology and commerce.

If India can use English as medium of instruction in schools, why not Malaysia? Pride? Emotion or politic?

Good luck Malaysia.