Education D-G defends under-fire Maszlee

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 22 May 2019 3:53PM · 5 Comments

Director-General of Education Dr Amin Senin says some of the criticism hurled at the education minister 'crossed the limits of civility'. – Twitter pic, May 22, 2019.

THE director-general of Education has leapt to Dr Maszlee Malik’s defence as public debate rages over the minister’s handling of the matriculation quota.

Dr Amin Senin, in a statement today, said Maszlee is merely executing the cabinet’s decision to increase the matriculation intake.

Certain quarters have gone overboard with their criticism of Maszlee’s announcement on the 90% Bumiputera, 10% non-Bumiputera matriculation quota, and the increase to 40,000 places from 25,000 previously, he said.

Amin said some of the criticism “crossed the limits of civility”, and is inappropriate for those in the academic world.

“This will distract Education Ministry staff from effectively performing their duties as civil servants.

“We believe that as education minister, Maszlee is correct in his actions, and has the right to defend the cabinet’s decision.

“On that note, we, as educationists and members of the Education Ministry, are responsible for defending and implementing policies decided by the government… for the people’s welfare.”

Maszlee has come under fire for his response to criticism on the matriculation quota, comparing it to the requirement by some companies for job-seekers to be proficient in Mandarin.

“If we want to change, if we say in ‘Malaysia Baru’, there is no need for a quota system and so on, then we must make sure that Bumiputeras are not denied job opportunities just because they don’t know Mandarin,” the minister was quoted as saying.

His statement drew criticism even from his Pakatan Harapan colleagues, with DAP central executive committee member P. Ramasamy likening Maszlee to an Umno politician.

DAP central executive committee member Teng Chang Khim called the minister “foolish” and “an idiot”, while the party’s Youth wing urged Maszlee to retract his statement. – May 22, 2019.

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Comments

  • Looks like Dr Anim is looking for a. Datukship

    Posted 7 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • For 61 years, Malay poors are still poor. Education can definitely help any community or person to improve his/her life but helping those in needs is more important than blindly helping a community or race. If the country does not formulate a fair policy for all races, don't expect true unity and patriotism from all races. All those rich, intelligent, well educated and smart will put their money overseas bcos they just don't trust the govt. When u have too much ringgit parking overseas, the RM currency will never rebound bcos too easy to manipulate the huge RM supply off shore. Every Malaysians will suffer through expensive oversea spending and high imported inflation. Brain drain will be unstoppable bcos talented Malaysians don't bite this bias policy. Result in high tech investments prefer other countries bcos we are shortage if local talents. Malay graduates with bad results and competencies coupled with bad command of English always choose to work for govt bcos they can't take the pressure working in private companies. SO BAD POLICIES WILL LEAD TO DISASTERIUS OUTCOME FOR YOUNG MALAYSIANS. Want bad door into universities produces low knowledge graduates that are not productive and govt dependent.

    Posted 7 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • You certainly don't have to defend something that is not right. If you do, then you are just a hypocrite.

    Posted 7 years ago by T E · Reply

  • Some comments do indeed cross the line of civility but that is to be expected when the Mazlee instead of making it clear that the increase in matriculation seats is a compromise solution for this year goes on to play racial politics by claiming that malays are discriminated for jobs where applicants are required to have proficiency in Mandarin. Proficiency in language has nothing to do with race. It is a skill learned either by attending school or taking a private course. People of all races live and work in china and do so after being proficient in Mandarin. The chinese in china do not prevent them taking up employment on grounds of their race. This is similar in Malaysia where businesses hire based on language proficiency and skills possessed and needed by the business. Lately Mazlees statements have focussed on race rather than dealing with the root of the key problems which are the poor teaching methods, poor human resources and a curriculum that does not reach out to strengthen and inculcate critical thinking and knowledge of core subjects nor even bring to the table methods to increase students skills in writing and reading. There is a massive divide between the rural and urban population and even in urban area there is divide between the well-off and the poor. Mazlee is failing to address this divide and making sure quality education of the best standard is uniformly availability and delivered throughout the country and is fairly accessible to rich and poor alike. He rather indulge in racial polemics then solve the key shortcoming pointed out by all Malaysians of all races. He is failing Malaysia

    Posted 7 years ago by Michael Raj · Reply

  • Chinese is one of the languages of business. There are businesses whose main language of communication is Chinese. There are now a lot of Malay children in CHINESE schools. They will have no problem finding jobs in Mandarin using businesses. So I don't see what the issue is as many Malay parents' schools of choice for thier children are the Chinese schools and not the sekolah kabangasaan. There are going to be more and more Chinese educated Malay children. In fact these children will be trilingual and should have no problem getting jobs or starting businesses. Accept this reality.

    Posted 7 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply