Education Minister and Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein today refused to be drawn into a public debate with his counterpart in PAS over the issue of teaching science and mathematics in English.

He also said that the decision on the language to be used to teach the two subjects has yet to be finalised by his ministry.

hishammuddin hussein salahuddin ayub ppsmi languanges debate issue Hishammuddin said this today at the International Conference of Youth on Terrorism. He said that there is no need to hold a debate as his ministry is still at the reviewing stage.

“If we are at the policy-making stage, a debate is more than welcome, it is not a problem,” said the Education Minister. “However, at this reviewing stage, what is there to debate about?”

"If PAS wants to contribute, they can give us their suggestions," he said.

hishammuddin hussein ppsmi languanges debate issue 260209 06 Hishammuddin reiterated that the solution to this policy “does not need to be just yes and no, or maintain or not to maintain the policy.

“If the weakness is in the rural areas, if the problems are with the teachers, we can find the solution to it,” said the Umno Youth chief.

Furthermore, he said that this issue has already reached the final stage of the reviewing process, and PAS should send in their suggestions so that they will be considered as well.

Hishammuddin said that it is not appropriate to debate about an issue that the ministry is already looking into at the moment.

Certain parties want to heat up the issue

On Tuesday, PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub challenged Hishammuddin to a debate on the issue.

He also proposed that the debate be telecast live so that the people can judge for themselves the issues at hand and gave Hishammuddin seven days to respond to the invitation.

salahuddin ayub ppsmi debat on english language in math and science subject pc 240209 02 Hishammuddin also said that, since his deputy Khairy Jamaluddin has already receive the letter from Salahuddin, it will be replied.

However, he added that the content of the reply will not go far from what he has told the reporters earlier.

When asked why there is still disagreement over the issue, he said that it is because certain parties want to heat up the issue and keep it controversial.

Hishammuddin said the matter will be tabled at the cabinet in a couple of weeks time.

However, he stressed that even if the cabinet were to make a decision then, the new policy will only be implemented in the first term of next year.

hishammuddin hussein ppsmi languanges debate issue 260209 02 “What is important right now, is to allow us to get more feedback, because sometimes the one that shouts the loudest does not represent the majority,” he stressed.

Salahuddin regrets Hisham's decision

In an immediate reaction, Salahuddin regretted Hismmuddin's decision not to take part in the debate.

"We regret that Hishammuddin made such a statement as it portrays that Umno Youth has no interest in protecting Bahasa Melayu," he said, as quoted by Harakah Daily .

However he stressed that PAS will not give up on the struggle to abolish the present policy.

He also said that he would like to invite the education minister for an "intellectual discussion" on the language issue.

Gangsterism in schools

Back at Hishammuddin's press conference, the education minister also said that he would not compromise on the issue of gangsterism in schools.

“When it comes to disciplinary issues, I will not compromise; for the safety of our children, I will not compromise.”

He mentioned that there will be a thorough investigation on the death of a 16-year-old youth who was allegedly beaten up by a group of 24 men near a school, and action will be taken to prosecute those found to be guilty.