PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man says any move to introduce Mandarin and Tamil in PAS-run kindergartens must be guided by a national education policy, not ad hoc demands.
He was responding to DAP’s Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, who had challenged PAS to prove its sincerity by offering the languages in its Pasti preschools, after Tuan Ibrahim suggested yesterday that they be taught in national schools.
Pasti is a PAS network of Islamic preschools focusing on religious education in the Malay language.
“We want a national policy for education, not one unit here, one unit there,” he told reporters at the Muslim Ummah International Forum here today.
“That’s a village mindset. Tell DAP that.”
Tuan Ibrahim said his proposal for Mandarin and Tamil to be taught in national schools was aimed at improving unity and reducing prejudice among children of different races.
Lim had accused Tuan Ibrahim of not understanding the education system, pointing out that both Mandarin and Tamil are already taught as elective subjects in national schools.
He also questioned whether Tuan Ibrahim’s suggestion was personal rhetoric or a new party policy.
On another matter, Tuan Ibrahim rejected claims that PAS’s decision not to contest its top leadership posts was undemocratic, saying it was meant to consolidate a winning team ahead of the next general election (GE16).
Citing Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor, who did not contest for any party post despite being “winnable”, he said the focus should remain on preparations for GE16.
He also brushed off questions on whether PAS would nominate a prime minister if PN wins GE16.
“It’s like planning a goat (breeding) project. We haven’t even started breeding the goats yet, so why talk about profit?
“Let us focus on the groundwork first … the campaign, the elections, and making sure we win. Only then can we talk about positions,” he said.
