updated version

Umno Youth today conceded that Gerakan's rejection of the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English is "understandable" as their objections are based purely on academic reasons.

Its information chief Azimi Daim said that Gerakan was merely worried about the effect of the shift on students' performance, unlike the Chinese educationist group, Dong Jiao Zong, which, Umno Youth claimed, opposed it on racial grounds.

Azimi said Umno Youth finds unacceptable, any ethnic group who is objecting on the ground that English may obliterate its culture or identity.

He urged those opposing the government's new education policy "to look far ahead" in order to understand how the policy will benefit Malaysians.

In an immediate response, Dong Jiao Zong accused Umno Youth of "double standard" and insisted that the movement "read thoroughly" its statement which explained in full the reasons they oppose the new policy.

"They (Umno Youth leaders) can come here (to Dong Jiao Zong headquarters in Kajang) and ask for copies of the statements which we issued in the past, since they are still not clear about our stand on the issue," said United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) deputy president Dr Yap Sin Tian.

Dong Jiao Zong consisted of Dong Zong and Jiao Zong, the United Chinese School Teachers Association of Malaysia.

Onus on students' performance

Yap explained that Dong Jiao Zong, in its earlier statements, had made it clear that it opposes the use of English as the medium of instruction for Science and Maths because it fears that students' performance in the two critical subjects will be affected.

Chinese students, he said, have been performing above par in these subjects all these while in their own mother tongue.

"Our opposition on the matter has nothing to do with race, because the Malays and Indians are also opposing it," he said.

"The Malays and Indians are equally worried that their cultural identity will erode if their mother tongue is considered no longer important," added Yap.

Thus, he said, for Umno Youth to label Dong Jiao Zong as "extremists" while holding a different view over Gerakan's stand although both are opposing the new education policy smacks of "double standard".

Insisting that the controversy is purely from the educational point of view and not racial, Yap also urged Umno Youth leaders to be careful about their statements or labels for those who oppose the new education policy.

Nevertheless, he expressed satisfaction at Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's statement today that he (PM) would consider views from all quarters on the issue.

"But it is best if the government reverse its decision altogether," said Yap.