NATIONAL Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang said vernacular schools foster unity among the people.

He was responding to ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s suggestion yesterday to abolish such schools to close the gap between races.

“Through our discourse and forums, we found vernacular schools actually benefit the people. In Sabah and Sarawak, 60% of Bumiputera pupils are in these schools and are fluent in Mandarin, so that (Mahathir’s allegation) is untrue,” said Aaron.

Aaron also said his ministry has requested a bigger allocation in Budget 2024, which will be tabled in October.

He said the allocation is to enable the activation of programmes next year to strengthen unity within Malaysia’s multiracial community.

“We have applied for an increase in allocation but I cannot comment on the details yet,” he said during a press conference after attending the “Anak Merdeka” celebrations at Dewan Utama Memorial Tun Hussein Onn in Kuala Lumpur today.

Aaron said the ministry will ensure efforts to strengthen the unity can be carried out consistently, instead of just in August for National Day.

He said his ministry’s programmes include establishing a practice to recite the Rukun Negara to start official government events and the celebration of Unity Week. – Bernama, August 31, 2023.