KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Gerakan Malaysia (Gerakan) has called for Umno and DAP leader to cease their verbal sparring over the issue of vernacular school systems.
Its National Unity Bureau chief Datuk Seri Chandra Balabedha said it could damage racial harmony and undermine social cohesion among the diverse communities in Malaysia.
The leaders should instead focus on the agenda of developing and advancing the national education system, he said in a statement.
"It is enough to stir up such issues. Focus on the agenda of developing and advancing the national education system and how to integrate vernacular education with the national school system.
"For Gerakan, they should not quarrel like enemies because the education system is crucial for the country and future generations."
He said that it is disheartening to see leaders of ruling parties engage in verbal disputes and attempt to fuel sentiments that could undermine the dignity of the Malaysian people.
"Furthermore, Gerakan reminds us that the struggle to dignify the nation should not lead to ethnic polarisation that undermines the spirit of unity, especially in education-related matters."
He also called on the Education Ministry to find a middle point between the divisive issue by seeking a comprehensive approach to the needs of society.
"Gerakan urges the Education Ministry to seek balance in integrating national and vernacular school learning, seeking a comprehensive and sensitive approach to societal and global needs."
He added the recent Federal Court decision to reject the application to declare the existence and establishment of vernacular schools and the use of Chinese and Tamil languages in schools as unconstitutional should be respected.
On Saturday, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Salleh 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.
He claimed 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 society, starting from schools.
Akmal's statement then prompted a response by former Penang chief minister Dr P. Ramasamy.
Ramasamy said Akmal is barking up the wrong tree in examining the racial polarisation in the country and that he seems deluded in thinking that the vernacular schools are the cause of racial polarisation, leading to disunity in the country.