DR MAHATHIR Mohamad’s meeting with Bersatu lawmakers yesterday was to exchange views on how to strengthen the party, said Muhyiddin Yassin today.

“We just wanted to get the prime minister’s advice on how to strengthen the party and be a more efficient, cohesive unit,” the Bersatu president told reporters in Pagoh today.

He said the meeting with Bersatu MPs, assemblymen and senators is held from time to time to gather feedback on important issues.

“Apart from that, it was just a meeting for everyone to exchange views on what’s happening on the ground,” said the Pagoh MP.

Muhyiddin said Bersatu was also gathering feedback and public reaction on the introduction of khat or Jawi calligraphy in vernacular schools.

“We want to know what the public thinks about this issue,” said Muhyiddin, who is also the home minister.

“Whether it will be optional for vernacular schools will depend on the Ministry of Education (MOE).

“While we want to reach a decision that can satisfy everyone, I will leave it to MOE to make the final call,” said Muhyiddin.

The MOE announcement that khat would be taught as part of the Bahasa Malaysia subject for Year Four pupils in vernacular schools from next year has received all sorts of reactions.

While some educationists have said that it’s part of Malaysian history, their vernacular contemporaries have argued the subject is unnecessary and would only burden students. – August 6, 2019.