PUTRAJAYA: The debate on vernacular schools should be looked at from a bigger picture and from a positive angle, says Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

Saifuddin said vernacular schools have been around for a long time and have played its own unique role in the country's education system.

"It has been recognised by the government, be it Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Harapan. I can't speak on behalf of the government, but I'm sure the current government will not in any way disrupt the role of vernacular schools," he said during an interview at his office here.

On Wednesday (Aug 26), Deputy Youth and Sports Minister and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's Youth wing chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal had called for vernacular schools to be abolished in stages, claiming that the schools have failed to instil a strong national identity in students.

Saifuddin said he did not know whether it was Wan Ahmad's personal opinion, or an opinion that has been endorsed by the party as a whole, but he believes that education and unity should not be mixed without knowing its priority.

"I do recognise that there have been debates about vernacular schools, but I believe we should look at it from the bigger picture, and we should look at it from the positive side. Again, even if there are debates about unity, I believe you can’t mix education and unity without knowing the priority," he said.

In fact, Saifuddin said the priority is the quality of education.

"When you have quality education, the other good values will come such as unity and all the other values. We have to look at it from the bigger picture," he said.

Saifuddin shared his personal experience of visiting SJKC Lanchang when he was Temerloh MP in 2008 and 2013.

"Interestingly, there are more Malay students than Chinese students there. It is because Lanchang is a Malay town, but the school, SJKC Lanchang, was there for a long time so the government decided to keep the school. But because it is a Malay town and area, there were more Malay students than Chinese students in that school," he said.

Separately, to foster unity among Malaysians, Saifuddin said those in Peninsular Malaysia have much to learn from their counterparts in Sabah and Sarawak.

"We in Peninsular Malaysia discuss so much about unity, I think we should learn a few things from our brothers and sisters in Sabah and Sarawak.

"They don't discuss this like us, they are relaxed (about it), but we in Peninsular Malaysia, make a big deal out of it.

"We are the only ones that have a lot of problems. They (Sabahan and Sarawakians) look at us and wonder what is wrong with us," he said.

Saifuddin added that leaders, including politicians in the country, must shoulder the responsibility and show a good example to Malaysians.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/08/28/saifuddin-debate-on-vernacular-schools-should-be-viewed-positively