Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today proposed for basic cross-cultural education to be emphasised in the school curriculum in Malaysia.

He said it was aimed at fostering unity among the multi-racial people in the country, which seemed to be increasingly separated.

"I call for this because...there is no cross-cultural education being applied in school curriculum right from pre-school or kindergarten.

"(It seems like) unity is no longer a priority and only a little disagreement or differences is needed to separate one race further from the others," he said after launching the 64th Anniversary Carnival of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Khir Johari in Bagan Datoh today.

He said the cross-culture education should be given priority so that all races could understand the culture and language of other races.

"It cannot be simply done through rhetorical speeches or debates but should be implemented in a direct assimilation through the education system," he said.

When asked on his concern over the declining level of people’s solidarity in the country, the deputy prime minister said apart from foreign factors, the lack of cross-cultural education in vernacular and religious schools had also contributed to the situation.

"As such, I hope that my opinion can be further studied and discussed by academicians.

"Nevertheless, I would like to emphasise that I do not propose for the abolishment of national-type Chinese or Tamil schools; I just put the emphasis on cross-cultural education," he said.

Ahmad Zahid said although efforts must be taken to strengthen people solidarity in the country, solidarity should come naturally and not just superficially.

- Bernama