Mahathir Warns
of Rise in Extremism in Malaysia
By
Kazi Mahmood, IOL South Asia Correspondent
KUALA
LUMPUR, Aug 10 (IslamOnline) - Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad on Saturday reminded racial extremists to refrain from raising
racial issues over the move to use English in the teaching of science
and mathematics in schools, Bernama news agency reported.
The
aging premier said that the government would take action against those
involved if their actions could lead to disharmony.
Language
has become a major issue of contention in Malaysia since the country
has adopted the Knowledge Based Economy (KBE) concept and is gearing
towards the use of English as medium of instruction in many subjects.
"In
Malaysia, if anyone were to incite racial sentiment to the extent of
creating disharmony, action will be taken before it happens," he
told a media conference.
Mahathir,
who was asked to comment on the attitude of certain groups who were
opposed to the move to use English in the teaching of the two
subjects, said that the extremist groups do not have strong influence
but they had used the press to incite others.
Mahathir
said that the extremist groups not only opposed the move to use
English but also do not wish to see Malay and Chinese children mixing
together.
He
said that these groups had also opposed the proposal to set up Vision
Schools, a proposal that falls under the KBE.
The
issue of vision schools made the headlines a few months back, with
Chinese leaders expressing growing concern over the possible phasing
out of Chinese schools from the country.
"They're
playing with fire...we're all aware that the law of our country does
not allow the government to change Chinese schools to national schools
but they injected fear among the Chinese...this is dangerous," he
said.
The
Prime Minister stressed that the country's law does not allow any
parties including the press to raise racial issues.
"The
allegation isn't true...if it's true then it's all right [but] it's
not true altogether.
"We've
no intention of changing Chinese schools to national schools because
the law does not allow the government [to do so]," he said.
Mahathir
expressed regret that the parties concerned were still raising the
issue even though the relevant law had been amended following pressure
exerted by them.
Asked
whether there was a reason to take action against these extremist
groups, he said that it was up to the law enforcement authorities.
"If
they found that it has reached a dangerous level, they will take
action," he said.
Two
weeks ago Mahathir warned Chinese extremists in the country that his
government will not allow extremism to triumph and disrupt the harmony
in the country.
He
warned the various groups in Malaysia of the possible recurring of the
May 1969 riots where scores of Chinese citizens were killed.
He
was also leaving it to the law enforcement authorities as to whether
or not to take action against the newspapers, which were also raising
racial issues.
The
Prime Minister said that the proposal to use English in the teaching
of mathematics and science would be implemented as scheduled.
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