IPOH, July 30- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the latest trend in today’s society especially in the context of race relations has given rise to polarisation.
He said society has become too sensitive that well planned efforts by the government is considered as negative and turned into racial issues as what happened to the Education Development Master Plan (PIPP) 2013-2025.
“I was informed that the Dong Zhong gathering yesterday issued a resolution to stop what we are doing in PIPP, formed to develop the education sector.
“It was designed with good intentions, however, it is seen as racist…13 years (execution of PIPP) is seen as an effort to abolish their mother tongue,” he said at a ‘buka puasa’ function at the official residence of Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir here, Monday.
Dong Zhong viewed the government’s good intention as racist although it took almost two years to gather imput on PIPP to be in line with the Education Act and the education philosophy.
Muhyiddin who is also Education Minister said the trend is not helping to foster the spirit of unity among all races.
In the meantime, he urged Muslims to prioritise unity and cordial ties in the face of great challenges.
“In this environment, the Muslim community will need to strengthen unity as some people assume that we are not strong leading them to question the rights contained in the constitution, religion and the rulers.”
At the event, Muhyiddin presented dates zam zam water, sarong and robes to the chairman and committee members of district mosques in the state.
He then joined Muslims in ‘maghrib’, ‘isyak’ and ‘tarawih’ prayers led by Sheikh Osama Mohammad Iqbal, the Al-Quran teacher at Masjidil Haram in Makkah.
– BERNAMA
