"Our founding fathers would not have agreed to let the British-era vernacular schools continue operating well beyond Merdeka, as they know it would create more divisions between the people," he said in a statement today. The former Jerlun MP was responding to a statement by DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang last Friday that the latter does not expect to see a non-Malay prime minister in this country in his lifetime, or his children's lifetime.  

Lim cited the election of Barack Obama, who is an American of African descent, as the country's president some time ago, given the community's history as slaves in the past. Elaborating, Mukhriz (above) said children should be allowed to 'learn, play and mingle' with each other until the differences between them become celebrated and not divisive.

"Only then we can hope to see a non-Malay as nothing other than a Malaysian, not coloured by their ethnic background. However, it is widely agreed that our national education system is in dire need of a complete overhaul."

According to Mukhriz, being Malaysian is about being perceived based on one's words, actions, way of life, and demeanour, instead of being identified as Malaysian first, and their ethnic background second.

MS : Except for a minority who view education in their mother tongues as the only way to preserve their cultural norms and heritage, a vast majority send their children to vernacular schools because of the appalling state of the ketuanan melayu (national) schools, its normalized racism and religious intolerance both of which thinly camouflage the gross incompetence of the teachers and the maladministration by its politically-connected heads.

The pull factor of course is the superior quality of teaching in those schools when compared to those called Sekolah Kebangsaan - with the emphasis on bangsa. But then we cannot expect anyone from Pejuang, Bersatu, PAS or UMNO to accept that as a fact.

OceanMasterII : Put the facts on the table first Mukhriz.

1. In terms.of percentage of non-Malay students going to vernacular schools compared to mainstream schools?

2. Provide the trend as in item (1) of the last 5 decades?

3. Among the non Malay parents in the 50s, 60s and 70s, they will do anything to get their children into the mainstream national schools compared to vernacular education but today, that seems not to be case. Why?

4. How about the fully residential schools, including MRSM and Science Schools for Malay Bumiputra students. They have been there for more than half a century and these schools are primarily reserved only for the majority Malays?

5. How about Thafidz religious schools?

6. How about the institutions of higher learning such as UiTM reserved only for Bumiputra?

7. How about public scholarships to continuing graduate programs overseas that were reserved only for Malays and Bumiputra?

8. How about public services where preference is overwhelmingly for Malays and Bumiputras?

9. How about housing quota for Bumis only?

10. How about goverment contracts reserved only for Bumiputras only?

The list is too long Mukhriz. Born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you will never understand the pain of being a non Malay, non Bumi in Malaysia. All I see is you playing to the gallery with divisive politics which your dad is the master.

DonGetMeWrong : Vernacular school divisive? National schools are actually islamic schools in sheep's clothing. Islam takes precedent in these schools. If our education system is based on international standard we don't think the non Malays will resist just like in the 60s 70s 80s where the medium of instruction is in English and majority of other races enrolled their childrens.

Don't always compared Thailand and Indonesia as the same situation in Malaysia. The history of those countries are not the same. In Malaysia the Chinese and other races helped built the country. And independence was given based on the cooperation of the three main races I e. Malays, Chinese and Indians that was the criteria for Britain's approval.

Why always blamed non Malays for the predicament that Malays are facing? The elite Malays are stealing from the Malays. Just answer the question, How come your family can be so rich?

Koel : Vernacular schools and segregated education, you mean? Does that include uitm, and all other religion based schools? Put your money where your mouth is Mukhriz, if you dare?

Dont talk crap without addressing the full picture. Easy for billionaires like you to do some cheap bullying of a few hapless minorities to style yourself as some race based hero right. Btw, how much help did the state give you and your family for your education and your business?

That is also from taxpayer funds of all Malaysians including minorities - so shut your mouth. Enough with this same old tired and cheap antics of your racist old man. Go take a long jump off a short pier lah. We have been through this xhit before.

Proarte : Why do Malay politicians like Mukriz send their children to international schools where the medium of instruction is English? They are hypocrites.

No wonder Pejuang candidates including Mukriz and his father Mahathir lost their deposits in the recently concluded elections. The Malays rejected them outright. Maybe because Mahathir and Mukriz speak English at home! Our Malay politicians talk through both sides of their mouth each time.

It is not whether one is Malay or Chinese, it is whether a politician has the capability to lead and inspire people to support him.