KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth has called for a reassessment of the vernacular education system amid growing concerns over the polarisation and lack of cohesion among the country's multi-ethnic population.
Its chief, Dr Akmal Salleh said the assessment needed to be conducted as the escalating tension stemmed from a system of separation and segregation implemented from the most basic levels of the society, starting from schools.
"The Umno Youth is concerned with the development of this current polemic which has intensified the flames of division.
"Indeed, all that is happening is a reflection of how, after nearly 70 years of independence, there still exists a gap in values and a separation of understanding among the multi-ethnic Malaysian population," he said in a Facebook post.
As such, he proposed a comprehensive assessment of the vernacular education ecosystem in terms of curriculum alignment, the implementation of national values, and mastery of the Malay language as the national language.
"A comprehensive study regarding the space and opportunities for improving the national education ecosystem to provide incentives and attractions for the participation of students from various ethnicities is also proposed.
"Umno Youth also suggests reviving a national dialogue space for Malaysia to explore a new vision towards the integration of national education in its true sense.
"We also propose a medium and long-term roadmap towards an educational integration model based on the unity of common values and a sense of belonging among the multi-ethnic population, without sidelining the rights of the various ethnicities in Malaysia to preserve their respective mother tongue heritage," he said.
He added that the time had come for Malaysia to put an end to the separation and segregation as its greatest heritage was harmony in diversity, not division and separation.
"Indeed, there is no shortcut to achieving unity – it is a long, winding, and challenging road, but it must start with the first step.
"By recognising the complexity, sensitivity, and controversies surrounding this issue, the government has no choice but to lead this effort to ensure it is managed with careful consideration, free from sentiment, suspicion, and incitement."