SINGAPORE -- In a new twist to an ongoing controversy surrounding a proposal to change Malaysia's education policy, the two main Chinese components of the ruling National Front (NF) coalition government, have found themselves taking the same position as the opposition parties. This places the Malaysian Chinese at loggerheads with their key ally, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO).
The controversy revolves around a major proposal by UMNO to have mathematics and science taught in English in all schools beginning next year. At face value, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and People's Solidarity Movement (Gerakan) find the plan laudable: it would open many doors to knowledge for Malaysians in an information-technology-dominated world of the future as globalization advances.
But on closer examination, they could not help but share the same view as the Democratic Action Party (DAP), the Islamic Party (PAS), the National Justice Party (Keadilan) and the People's Party of Malaysia, that a switch to English may not achieve its goal.