The Malaysian Insight

VERNACULAR primary schools must be abolished as they do not promote national unity, said a PAS Women’s wing leader today.

Salamiah Md Nor also demanded that Putrajaya oppose plans to make Mandarin the second national language.

It should instead be Arabic, she said.

“The vernacular system needs to be abolished because it has not brought about national unity. Also, I cannot accept any plan to make Mandarin the second-most-spoken language,” she told the Islamist party’s 65th muktamar, or annual congress.

“We want the language of the Quran (Arabic) to be made the second national language.”

Responding to Salamiah’s points, vice-president Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the views of delegates do not necessarily reflect the party’s stand, but if they do, they will be incorporated into the policies of PAS-ruled states.

The Terengganu menteri besar likened it to a household where members have different views.

“In a house, the father has a certain view, and his children might have other views. But at the end of the day, the decision is made by the father or mother.

“We have about 1,200 delegates. It’s impossible to expect everyone to have the same beliefs.

“These voices add to our diversity.” – June 22, 2019.