Muhyiddin: Decision on PPSMI final
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, The Malaysian Insider
The government’s decision to scrap the use of English for science and mathematics (PPSMI) in schools is final, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today.
In a response directed towards the Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE), the deputy prime minister said there would be no more negotiations on the matter as the government had already decided to do away with the policy in 2009.
“It was already decided by the Cabinet back in 2009, after many levels of discussion, was passed in Parliament and even the opposition supported it. There was no negative reaction back then, I don’t know why it’s being brought up.
“Maybe they (PAGE) ketinggalan zaman (behind the times.) The government will not bow down to the demands of small groups like this,” Muhyiddin (picture) said today, in reference to demands made by the pro-English lobby group earlier this week.
PAGE chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim had bluntly said Barisan National (BN) risks losing votes in the upcoming general election if it continues to bar students from learning science and maths in English in schools.
“The matter is closed. Full stop. Some people can push and demand all they want, we are a democracy, but the government’s decision is final,” Muhyiddin said.
The education minister said he will make a detailed announcement tomorrow regarding the government’s plans to smoothen the transition process from PPSMI to the MBMMBI (Upholding the Malay Language and Strengthening Command of English) policy.
