KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 — PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has suggested adding Tamil and Mandarin as subjects in national schools to strengthen ties among different races.
The Kubang Kerian MP said misunderstandings often stem from language barriers, and learning each other’s languages could ease suspicion, Free Malaysia Today reported.
“Sometimes, when the Chinese speak among themselves, Malays don’t understand. It’s the same when Indians speak in Tamil. This causes mistrust,” he was quoted as saying.
At the PAS supporters’ wing congress in Sungai Petani’s Gandhi Hall, he proposed that schools could offer both languages as part of the curriculum.
Tuan Ibrahim also underlined the importance of reinforcing Bahasa Melayu as the national language, warning against Malaysians losing the ability to sing the anthem or speak simple Malay.
He dismissed allegations that PAS or Perikatan Nasional would enforce Islamic law on non-Muslims if they gained power, saying the coalition upheld freedom of religion.
He added that PAS supported the continued role of Chinese and Tamil schools, stressing that language remained central to cultural identity.
Tuan Ibrahim then urged the party’s supporters’ wing to grow beyond its 68,000 members, noting its members could one day contest seats in Parliament.
