‘Stop harping on vernacular schools issue’

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister Department Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong claimed that although he cannot predict or dictate what will be discussed in the upcoming Umno general assembly, he is hoping that the delegates can stop harping on the issue of vernacular schools.
Responding to a reporter's question on the vernacular schools issue that may be raised by Umno delegates during the party meeting at the end of the month, Wee said that although every political party has the right to freely express or raise any issues during their general assembly, it was also important for them to see that the issue discussed is something good for the country.
Wee was speaking at a press conference at the party headquarters after he co-chaired a dialogue session between MCA and Chinese new village leaders.
It was previously reported that Umno Petaling Jaya Utara division deputy chief Mohamad Azli Mohamaed Saad will be seeking for a debate during the party general assembly on whether vernacular schools should be abolished.
This, he said, was because Chinese schools were being used by the opposition to breed racial and anti-government sentiments.
Wee felt that there is nothing wrong if Umno wants to strengthen national schools, but it is important for them to know that vernacular schools are something that have always been insisted on by our forefathers as well as being protected under the Federal Constitution.
The dialogue session was attended by 607 leaders of new villages nationwide.