Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he hoped a decision on whether the teaching and learning of science and mathematics in English (PPSMI) can be reintroduced or otherwise can be made next year.

Mahathir, who is also Acting Education Minister, said the government had set up a sub-committee to evaluate the matter and would prepare a proposal paper for cabinet deliberation.

Following that, he said the cabinet would determine whether PPSMI will be reintroduced or decide to maintain the teaching of the two subjects in the national language.

"Before this, I had told the officers (in the Education Ministry) not to make an announcement (to the public on the reintroduction of PPSMI), but somehow it leaked out and the public was told I had made a decision.

"I cannot make the decision, it must be made by the cabinet. So, we’re now preparing a paper for consideration by the cabinet as to whether we will have PPSMI back or maintain the teaching and learning of science and mathematics in the national language,” he told the media when asked about the matter in Langkawi today.

Earlier, the prime minister had attended a medical outreach programme organised by Langkawi Youth Power Club, National Heart Institute and Briged Sukarelawan Media Prima-NSTP in Sungai Itau, Langkawi.

Prior to this, Mahathir had said that a cabinet committee had been formed to study the matter due to objections from the public on the reintroduction of PPSMI.

He said the decision on whether PPSMI will be reintroduced will follow the majority opinion of the cabinet.

The policy was introduced in 2003 when Mahathir served as Malaysia's fourth prime minister (1981-2003) but was reversed in 2012.

Mahathir is currently in office as Malaysia's seventh prime minister.

He is a strong proponent of PPSMI, believing that it is crucial for Malaysians to remain competitive in a fast-changing world.

- Bernama