PM:Education system reflects choice of community

PARIS: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the existence of national type schools in Malaysia, including Chinese schools, is part of an education system “we inherited from our forefathers.”

“It was decided at the point of independence. It is not ideal...something we accept. We have inherited from our forefathers a system where various communities decide on the type of education to choose for their kids,” he said during a question-and-answer session with Malaysian students at Pavillion Davphine in Place du Marechal de Lattre Tassigny, here.

Citing an example, he said the Chinese may want to send their children to the Chinese school.

“Although it was not ideal but it is something that we have to accept because it is a choice of the Malaysian community. If we have to go against the choice, then there is bound to be social unrest. The Chinese want to have their schools, we cannot take it away from them. That is the reality. We cannot escape from the reality,” he said


Najib, who is in France for a four-day official visit, was responding to a remark by a Malaysian student that he was confused by the promotion of 1Malaysia to unite Malaysians when the government still allowed Chinese schools to exist in the country.

“One Malaysia is a process, a journey.

“Though students may be from different schools, but if they accept 1Malaysia, it could encourage greater interaction. It would achieve greater national unity and a sense of belonging among Malaysians.”

He also said that the government was taking steps to make national schools more attractive, especially for non-Malays.

“Earlier in his speech, Najib explained the concept of 1Malaysia as the country's guiding philosophy towards transforming Malaysia in becoming much stronger and successful by 2020 and beyond.

He said he promoted this concept when he became Prime Miniser because he believes that national unity and integration are the cornerstone in the process of nationbuilding.

Najib said that Malaysians should go beyond tolerating and accepting each other's diversity.

“Our diversity is a strength, not a burden.

“The highest level is to celebrate our diversity. This should be our pride. The 1Malaysia message is powerful. One dream, one people, one nation.”


Najib also told the students that for any civilisation to prosper, it has to be inclusive and open.

“If a civilisation is closed up, resistant to ideas and free movement of people, it will wither away. If we build on the civilisation, on ideas, and able to bring in new culture, that civilisation will prosper.

“If we reject new ideas, movement of people, we will never become a nation that can take its rightful place among the leading nations of the world.”

Najib called on the students to be part of this “long journey” in transforming the country.

“We have set aside a huge allocation to prepare the next generation, when we can pass the torch for you to carry on the struggle.”