KUALA KUBU BARU: Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal has reiterated Perikatan Nasional's stance that it would never shut down vernacular schools.
He said this in response to Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari's "apology" for questioning DAP candidate Pang Sock Tao's educational qualifications, and his attempt to highlight that she had graduated from a vernacular school.
Wan Fayhsal said PN does not oppose vernacular schools, but supports enrichment by integrating them into the national curriculum.
"As we said in Parliament, we would love vernacular schools to be enriched with the national curriculum so that they reflect our national character.
"But, in principle, PN will never shut down vernacular schools," he said in a press conference at PN Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election operation centre, here.
Wan Fayhsal said the issue is not one of PN's prominent agenda for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, highlighting the coalition's primary emphasis on economic concerns.
He clarified that Fadhli's remarks were prompted by doubts cast toward PN candidate Khairul Azhari Saut's educational history.
"We have answered this. It was not a lie. He has an executive master's degree (in business management) issued by Universiti Malaysia Pahang.
"I think (debating) vernacular schools will not benefit either candidate because we are electing a state assembly representative, not an MP," he said.
Meanwhile, Wan Fayhsal said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation into Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli would not affect PN's campaigning for the by-election.
"I believe it doesn't affect our chances to gain votes from the constituents here in Kuala Kubu Baharu because it is a separate issue altogether.
"The primary issue involving our campaign and as how we have matured on the ground is always the people's economy.
"(It is) not as (Prime Minister Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim portrayed in the media that all is well, investment is coming. We don't believe that," he said.