Leaders of the Barisan Nasional Chinese-based component parties met Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad this morning to discuss their proposals on the plan to teach Science and Mathematics in English in Chinese schools.

Spokesperson for the group, MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik revealed this to the media after attending the weekly Cabinet meeting in Putrajaya later.

Ling said the meeting with the premier was also attended by Gerakan president Dr Lim Keng Yaik, Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) George Chan and Sabah Progressive Party president, Yong Teck Lee.

However, it is learnt that no final decision has been made on when and how the new system should take place.

"We were very fortunate since prime minister very kindly gave us audience this morning. We had a very fruitful exchange of ideas," said Ling, refusing to elaborate further.

Report denied

Ling also denied a front-page report in Utusan Malaysia today which said Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had instructed Ling yesterday to explain the Chinese parties' stand to the Chinese education movement, Dong Jiao Zong (DJZ) which has been vocal in its opposition to the language switch.

"I have no idea from where the newspaper got its source... no such thing!" he said.

Ling also said the discussion among the Chinese-based parties were confined to the real matter which "is about academic, educational and intellectual issues".

On the dinner-cum-meeting last night involving these party leaders, Ling said "nothing from it was brought to the Cabinet (meeting) today as it was only a dinner".

Earlier yesterday, Abdullah had called on the leaders for a discussion, but no clear stand has been revealed thus far.

Last Friday, the Chinese-based party leaders came out of a meeting without reaching any consensus on the issue, claiming that they needed more time to study the matter.

A day later, Gerakan's Lim openly announced his party's opposition to the proposal.