The government is planning to set up the proposed "Dr Mahathir Institute for Creative Thinking" but the project is still in its early discussion stage, Education Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Dr Mahadzir Mohd Khir said today.

As the name implies, the institute is to teach creative thinking as well as to let the younger generations understand better the ideas of Mahathir who has helmed the nation for 22 years, he told reporters at Parliament lobby.

"However, it has not yet been decided whether the institute would be set up in a university or on its own," Mahadzir said.

He was asked to elaborate on a question from Abdul Hamid Abdul Rahman (BN-Sungai Benut) in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday as to whether the government has given the nod to the new institute.

Speeches in syllabus

On the syllabus, Mahadzir said the institute will use development policies introduced during the Mahathir era and the premier's ability to cultivate his ideas and turn them into reality.

"For example, students will learn why and how he built Putrajaya and how he dealt with the economic crisis in the late 1990s," he said.

He added that numerous articles written by the prime minister could also be included in the teaching syllabus.

"Dr Mahathir is indeed a legend who has a unique way of thinking, and it is his creative way that has made Malaysia what it is today."

Earlier in the House, the parliamentary secretary said the government did not undermine the use of Bahasa Malaysia in the education system despite the introduction of teaching Science and Mathematics in English from this year.

Responding to a question from Ramli Ibrahim (Keadilan-Kota Bahru) on the government's measure to tackle the "marginalisation" of Bahasa Malaysia after the implementation of the language switch, Mahadzir said that the government has never neglected the national language.

"The national language is still the official language as stipulated in Article 152 of the Federal Constitution and the Education Act 1996," he said adding that Bahasa Malaysia is still being used as a mediator language in all schools and official events.