By Adib Zalkapli
PUTRAJAYA, July 8 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressed disappointment with the government’s decision to scrap his policy of teaching mathematics and science in English, saying it will affect future generations.
He said his recommendations were not taken into consideration when deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, met him over the policy first introduced in 2003.
“I was only briefed about it, so after the briefing I gave my suggestions, I said even if it could not be implemented at primary level, at least at secondary level it should be maintained, so it was not a consultation only briefing,” Dr Mahathir told reporters here.
“I am saddened because the future of our children will be affected. They will be the victims,” he added.
Dr Mahathir said failure to get the teachers to teach the two subjects in English should not be used as an excuse to scrap the policy.
“The government’s responsibility is to train the teachers, the problems cannot be solved overnight, because this is important for our future, we have to face the challenges, I am confident our teachers can learn English,” he said.
On the government’s plan to train more English teachers Dr Mahathir said the same should also be done to science and mathematics teachers.
“It is a good move, but if they can train English teachers, they should also be able to train science and mathematics teachers,” said Dr Mahathir.
Earlier at a press conference to announce the scrapping of teaching mathematics and science in English policy, Muhyiddin said he and officials from Education Ministry had informed Dr Mahathir of the decision and the former prime minister had accepted the government’s views.

written by angry student, July 08, 2009
what we need is good teachers proficient in teaching English not changing things back to BM
Frigging stupid BN
written by Supporter, July 08, 2009
written by Onlooker, July 08, 2009
written by eagleis, July 08, 2009
written by Jokerer, July 08, 2009
written by Freedom Pursuer, July 08, 2009
indeed can learn, but not learn or teach English in Bahasa Malaysia..its laughing stock of whole world....
written by Eskay, July 08, 2009
You have tried your best to have Maths/Science to continue to be taught in English.
Obviously, your ex-half-past six cabinet wants our children to speak/write like Mr Mustaza, the sports director of UTM.
written by jesseltonite, July 08, 2009
But of course..UMNO/BN is so used to projek mee rebus they thought results can be seen fast if not it is considered a failure..thanks to the shortsightedness of our UMNO/BN federal govt..our children's future is ruined..
written by Ed, July 08, 2009
You might help the kids to score better in primary school level, but they will struggle when it come to tertiary level, they would struggle. Like what angry student has mentioned, the clear result won't be seen until these batch of students who undergo the english teaching entering into labour market.
I can't imagine American placing orders using bahasa malaysia. Or even the Chinese communicating with us using bahasa malaysia.
Having said that, nothing much to be expected from the current brainless federal government, worst still, it was from the DPM. To Onlooker, we do not have any competitive strength, the very best thing that we have ever produced are the crony network, corrupted politicians where no implication or actions will be taken, and the best buatan malaysia would be the brainless ministers (to name a few who talk without using their brain, although it seems to me they don't even have one to start with, the DPM, the current home minister, the illegal Perak MB and so on and so on).
No wonder people would think Malaysian are living in the jungles, sleeping on a tree-top, thanks to our flip-flop government policy. As always, act first, then assess the impact, just like what they did when the oil price shoot up and they hurry increase the petrol price, only to realise the impact is so drastic, and need to refund RM600.
Keep it up umno-bn, i think should we would take over North Korea in the 3rd world country ranking.
written by MindlessMalaysian, July 08, 2009
The only winners here are the politicians.
The children's victimization will become absolute.
written by Fence sitter, July 08, 2009
written by Flabagasted parent, July 08, 2009
Teaching of Science and Maths in English to me is wrongly hyped as a way to improve the level of English. The policy was ideal to prepare our next generation to excel in both field on a world stage. It looks like we have decided that political expediency is more important than the future of our next generation. It seem like we are satisfied to remain doing what we do now and any talk of moving up the value chain in our economic activity is just that, just lip-service. It shall be no surprise that our FDI remain behind that of our neighbours.
God Help our children.
written by No deal with Umno, July 08, 2009
Liar will always be a liar
written by ZAK, July 08, 2009
If the government is prepared to employ foreign teachers to teach English, why not the government also employ foreign teachers who can teach Maths and Science in English as a short term measure until the local teachers are competent enough to teach Maths and Science in English. I think the government is playing politics at the expense of our childrens' future.
Muhyiddin should look at long term gain and the childrens' future instead of short term political expediency. What Tun Mahathir had introduced in not to be competent and good in English as a result of teaching Maths and Science in English. Tun Mahathir had already explained in his blog in great detail on the need to master Maths and Science in English.
written by sktan, July 08, 2009
So who is lying? Muhyiddin or Dr M? Someone should be fired for lying! Come on own up! Be a man!
written by English First, July 08, 2009
written by donplayuks, July 08, 2009
On the contrary, Dr.M never agreed with him.
Lying BN politicians!
written by Dr.Carl Benedict, July 08, 2009
Non of the UMNO-putras understand what is GLOBALIZATION?
written by Robert, July 08, 2009
written by Joe Ang, July 08, 2009
It is no big loss. It shoiuld have been in commercial studies and the arts subjects which are more relvant for Emnglish language learning. Wonder if we do offer students the choice of English literature?
written by Hopeless Ahmad, July 08, 2009
written by James Khor, July 08, 2009
Ultra Malays won this battle. So have the Chinese language chauvinists in Malaysia.
Weep for our offsprings, for they are going to lose the war.
written by candidman, July 08, 2009
When peoples are going globalized, we are going retrogressive and back to primitively localized! What a shame!
written by ucop, July 08, 2009
written by BEN, July 08, 2009
Go to a Government department and speak to a high level Government officer. Not a PSU. Go higher. Say KSU or TKSU. You will be ashamed to call yourself a Malaysian.
Are we Malaysian happy with the Standard of English today? Is this the way forward? Is this the so-called 2020?
Fine, now the Government have scrapped the Maths & Science in schools. Ok, What's next? What's our solutions to get back to the old days of English being the main language? How are we going to improve the children of tomorrow? The leaders of the future? What are the plans the Government have in mind. The country should know.
A generation or two will be lost and that's a long time to recover. What a waste, sheer waste when things are not done with proper planning, thought and implemented in the correct ways.
written by Bing, July 09, 2009
written by anak melaka sejati, July 09, 2009
written by Engineer Malaysia, July 09, 2009
When I had to make the switch from BM (secondary school) to English (university), it was difficult for me. Now our new generation of kids have the chance to study Science and maths in English and Muhyiddin wrecked it. He is a total IDIOT !!
My kids will never forgive him for that. Neither will Dr M. As a doctor, he knows very well the importance of English to science students. I do not agree with Dr M on many fronts but I must say that the language swith from BM to English was the best thing he ever did in his 22 years in office. Yes, there are some problems in its implementation but Muhyiddin really should try to solve these problems rather than switching back to BM.
How are we going to compete globally ? In the 60s, Malaysians spoke very good English. Now, we are producing unemployable graduates who can't even string together a simple sentence in English .... where have we gone wrong ???
written by Wild Geese, July 09, 2009
During my time, the Education Ministry did something remarkable for us. We had PhD holders from India who taught us Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Additional Mathematics. In Form four, there was a University Malaya Master degree holder who taught us Chemistry. There was a teacher from Australia who taught us history in Form two.
One of my schoolmates was plucked by MIT just after MCE. Our year later churned out a few doctors and engineers. Others moved on to high positions in Petronas, Gamuda and others. Overseas, we had no problem completing our chosen field of study.
This is the jasa of the Education Ministry and our school leaders like our headmasters. There was something extra too. There was a dental clinic with a full-time dentist at our school. The dental nurse taught us how to brush our teeth while I was in Standard one - the same method that I still use today. I still have a milk tooth today!
Is our Education Ministry lost today? Removing English in Maths and Science is a bad policy.
written by Wali Kota, July 09, 2009
They are indeed destroying the future Malaysian generation ...
written by change28, July 09, 2009
We are progressing, from a country known for its citizens' proficiency in English to a country with no future proficiency in English. Malaysia Boleh!
1Malaysia, 1Language......Strategic ambiquity......no defined goals.....
written by Lim KH, July 09, 2009
How can we expect a bunch of morons who only worry about their current status now then to create a better future for our beloved nation. Our young kids are deprived of oppotunity to get technical infomations firsthand in English. They will need the mat Salleh to translate them to BM to understand the content fully. If our GAPENA can produce as many Technical books in BM translated within 2 weeks from all sources in any languages, French, German, Finnish, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, Dutch, Danes, etc, well Malaysia will have hope with only BM education in technical subjects.
One common features those nations with advance technologies may not use english as medium of instruction, They have a strong pool of translators to translate latest works from other foreign sources almost as soon as it was first published to their own language for the benefit of their people who are not profficient in other languages. E.g, Japan, China, German Russian etc. If Malaysia and Indonesia are able to do it in MELAYU, maybe we can make it. I doubt this will happen. Look at the 30 years of teaching Science & Maths in Malay, Did you see many latest works translated into BM for our student? nil! I saw the same edition of Kimia Organik Science reference books in BM that I used in 1980 in the book store sold as new 3 years ago. Maybe still the same version to be used for 2012 batch children that were switch back to BM.
I would like our government to allow to continue teaching Maths & Science in English to Secondary schools.
I work in a port. We have to communicate with foreigners everyday. We have difficulties to find workers with Diplomas from local polytechnics that can communicate fluently in english with the ship crews. We have to train them on English pronunciations on tools, fittings and other technical names, term used in the industries before they can be put on the job.
On many occassions, we can see hand & body language being used to communicate among them but when discuss technical terms/matters in English, everyone understand it perfectly.
We just cannot avoid not to use English on detail finding of the latest advancement in breakthrough works for Medical, Biology, Engineering, Physics and Chemistry etc. Research works published by foreign scientist or Mathematics will be missed by our schools. As they may not understand the terms and language used inthe writings.
Help Malaysia please. Help our children please. Education Minister, Please continue to teach Maths & science subjects in Engish, especially in Secondary School, Colleges and Universities.
written by RandomThoughts, July 09, 2009
written by Manek Urai, July 09, 2009
Tun,
I dun not like many of your policies but reintroducing English back to school is a RIGHT move of your legacy, at least English must use on most subject esp in Secondary school which is stepping stone toward Uni level.
Now the first not able to compete internationally are the Malays which will indirectly pull Malaysian average down. These Malays will definately suffer after graduate if they were to secure a job with internationa company.
I just cannot understand why my Malays classmate in those old day not worry about losing their identity.
Why Modern Malays seem worry about eveything ???
Our nation has not reach a state like Japan, Germany or French which can abandon English.
To make our Race Strong and Make our Identity known, we must be able to comptete internationally not "Champion of Kampung".
written by PM, July 09, 2009
written by James George, July 09, 2009
written by Taikohtai, July 09, 2009
written by rayfire, July 09, 2009
Having a blanket rule of cancelling the whole policy is not going t be beneficial to our future generation.
6 years is not an adequate time to evaluate the policy in full. The current batch of educators are from the era when BM was used, so it is understandable for them to find it difficult to adjust. However the new batch of educators who has undergone the 6 years of English based teaching should be able to perform if given adequate time.
Sad to see more and more positive looking policies scrapped for mundane reasons.
Please ,the next time, analyze thoroughly and plan at least with 20 years scope of implementation before recommending any policies.
written by Kunta Kinte, July 09, 2009
written by superyoga, July 09, 2009
Now they flip-flop in English not wanting to admit their mistakes - this is how good UMNO politicians are and will be.
Nothing can be said about MCA/MIC/Gerakan - they are just the YES men again!!!
written by The Watchman, July 09, 2009
written by Joanne, July 09, 2009
How ironic. Dr M was the one who forced everone down this Malay-centric road in the first place! Had he not changed all subjects from using the English medium to Malay, we wouldn't be having all this nonsense at all! We are all the victims of HIS policies!!!!
I for one, am deeply saddened by Dr M's past actions.
written by Tommy, July 09, 2009
written by The Watchman, July 09, 2009
written by Ahmingchai, July 09, 2009
Very pathetic.
written by richardkam, July 09, 2009
written by Cuckoo Bird, July 09, 2009
Wawasan Malap 2020.
written by Jack, July 09, 2009
*******************************************************
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I fully agree with the wise-up Dr M... he is wise to understand that PPSMI is a failure at primary (where majority of students cannot understand English and therefore how to learn Math & Science in English, and wise enough to suggest that PPSMI to be maintained for secondary (when students are ready after 6 years of good English lesson in Primary).
written by Hang Tuah 1, July 09, 2009
Dr Mahathir said failure to get the teachers to teach the two subjects in English should not be used as an excuse to scrap the policy.
“The government’s responsibility is to train the teachers, the problems cannot be solved overnight, because this is important for our future, we have to face the challenges, I am confident our teachers can learn English,” he said.
On the government’s plan to train more English teachers Dr Mahathir said the same should also be done to science and mathematics teachers.
“It is a good move, but if they can train English teachers, they should also be able to train science and mathematics teachers,” said Dr Mahathir.
---
I am saddened too.
Dr Mahathir, you are absolutely correct.
I support your views 100 per cent.
---
The thing about Malaysia is this:
There is a caste system -
In the constitutition, Malaysians are divided into racial status -
Malays and non-Malays.
Hence, race profiling is promoted in the federal constitions.
It is lawful to be racialistic, or racism, or racist.
Secondly, the rich and the poor, the rural and the urban -
It is stated very clearly by Muhyiddin that one major reason to reverse the English policy -
The rural children - I think he referenced to Malays in rural areas - are not able to cope Math and Science in English.
However children in urban areas like PJ or KL or Kuantan,
They are doing quite well in English.
Hence - education minister says the widening of the gap is worrisome -
the cure - pull the handbrake - and everyone should slow down to let the slow ones catch up.
This is the mentality of our government -
They want to avoid anything difficult, they want to take the easy route.
Everything must be placed on the silver plate, or spoon feeding -
They will do everything for the sake of Malays and their capacity or lack of capacity to compete with others.
One thing already happening in urban areas -
The rich and powerful - and many are Malays in KL or other urban areas -
They are sending their children to private schools -
They are sending them overseas.
So the reversal of English policy has no impact on these Malays whatsoever.
And the bright Malay students are given scholarships to overseas education, anyway.
Hence creating two classes of people in Malaysia -
English educated and non-English educated ones.
By observation, and I ask local media to investigate -
The English educated Malays dominate the non-English educated ones.
Those who are trained overseas - when they come back -
They don't treat their own people who studied locally - including local universities.
THIS LIES THE FACT -
In Malaysia - equal opportunities are denied.
The only fear is this -
the rich and powerful - English educated -
wants the others to be ignorant or less capable to compete -
this is the control factor.
What do you think?
written by Durian Besar, July 09, 2009
------------------------
What must the cabinet listen to you?
Do you really think you are the senior minister to Malaysia?
Who the hell are you?
You made terrible mistakes, when people correct your mistakes you take offense of it, you criticize viciously.
Tell you what Mahathir, you ARE the mistake of the country.
written by novice101, July 09, 2009
He is playing up "the decision by the federal government to scrap the teaching of science and maths in English, stating that it would end the difficulties of rural Malays who "have never heard English before." Does he realize he is insulting the intelligence and capabilities of the rural Malays of the present? That he is also insulting the rural Malays of the past? Does he realize that the many of the present Malay leaders in all sectors of society have also come from the rural areas??? Maybe he himself is also one of them (can some one who knows him confirm this).
These people who have done well for themselves did it because they had the exposure to English. Instead of playing up the decision and feeling proud of the move he should feel ashamed of his shortsightedness and his betrayal of the rural people. By this decision he is denying the rural Malays from an opportunity to gain exposure and a competitive edge. He and others in UMNO want to keep them there so that they can remain slaves to UMNO.
written by malaysian, July 09, 2009
The Govt should consider the basic facts deeply before reversing. Future generation would not be able to inherit knowledge to compete with global children.
The lecture in higher institution is facing many hurdles in lecturing Malaysian students as they are very weak in English language. It has always been a stumbling block for Malaysian children to grow as their written and spoken English is poor.
How our children are is going to face the world when we are not equipped with necessary knowledge in order to face the challenging world.
I reiterate that Malaysian government should introduce Malay medium and English medium to solve the very basic education problem faced by Malaysians. Please don’t spoil our future generation.
written by gizmo_pony, July 09, 2009
written by umnobodoh, July 09, 2009
written by PH Chin, July 09, 2009
Well said. I would go a step further by saying that the Education Minister has gambled the future of our students by his 'politically motivated' decision.
written by A W Lim, July 09, 2009
Have a English medium primary and secondary schools. Let the raayat have a choice. You will see Malaysian of all races will enroll in the English medium schools.
The switch to BM to teach Science and Math is to satisfy the Malay extremist, Chinese extremist and Indian extremist. If there is a requirement for PM and all the cabinet minsters positions to study from Malay medium schools up to university level, then our PM and a lot of cabinet minsters will not be qualified.
To gauge the response from the public, have a referendum. Also I wish to suggest that BN and PR should discuss and agree on certain policy such as teaching of Math and Science in English. Once agree they dont have to bring up this issue during the election. Alternatively why not let the parents register their children for English medium schools starting from the year 2012.
written by English for Unity, Knowledge & Prosperity, July 09, 2009
written by Yang asli, July 09, 2009
Frankly, the standard of BM can never been effected even if math and science are conducted in English medium.
written by Patrick Phuah, July 09, 2009
written by Charlie's Angels, July 09, 2009
TDM's observations on generations of our youth being the victims of such a policy change are to be noted by those responsible for making the decisions.
Such flip-flopping also serve to show a lack of breath and depth in the understanding of the issues involved. English is not only an international language of science and technology, but also social, culture, commerce and diplomacy.
The real issue is to recognize the general proficiency in English among our youth today has been less than desirable and as a result of the ill-conceived language policy of the past decades, our competitiveness as a nation in all fields of endeavor including science and technology has been below par. There is therefore an urgent to improve the command of English among the next generations to equip them to face challenges of an increasingly globalized world.
To use the lack of teaching resources in English; disparity in student results between rural and urban; and policy's failure to achieve its objectives as justifications for the policy reversal are just misnomer. One cannot solve a problem by creating another elsewhere, it is bad decision-making. If we lack the teaching resources, by all means do something to resolve it but NOT reversing the policy altogether. Further, why just talk about policy's failure to achieve objectives when the whole education system of the country has been a failure??
Let it be said again, ignore English at your own peril. It is the future of our next generations that we are talking about.
written by no_future, July 09, 2009
the whole world is moving ahead and we, how to say,....'kita masih jadi katak bawah tempurung'!!
the very reason why my daughter wakes up at 430am daily to brave the notorious causeway jam!!!!
but it hell is worth it!!!! bangunlah sekalian pemimpin Malaysia Boleh!!
written by simon, July 09, 2009
written by Watta, July 09, 2009
written by Watta, July 09, 2009
written by 989says, July 09, 2009
BM can be bahasa perpaduan raayat.
we need a bahasa (language) where all raayat can communicate to enhance interacial relationship Malaysia identity is important
English is language untuk ilmu kemajuan (technology) raayat.
we need a language to seek new technology FAST to make Malaysia an advance nation.
we need a language to communicate with the world. (...all raayat not only minister)
will there be wawasan 2020 if we cannot even understand new technology at basic level?
written by Lula, July 09, 2009
The British left a diamond before they left the country, the english education, but............... ppl who saw it as a treat to BM gambled it away. So sad! The teaching profession should have HIGH standard and not the way: I cannot get another job so I becoem a teacher! Thats the problem! Get teachers from the UK to teach the teachers proper english and make it compulsary to pass the tests~
written by YT, July 10, 2009
written by Lat, July 10, 2009
written by kaz, July 10, 2009
written by myps, July 14, 2009
My daughter is in Form 1. She's the 1st batch of PPSMI. DPM is saying that in Form 4, need to use BM again. Duhh.... just finish what you have started!
The rural people prefers BM, urban people wants English. Heck, even some urban kids couldn't understand English.
There are no single solutions for this issue. What we lack here is flexibility. Rural school may opt for BM. Urban school can stick with English, especially the top classes. While the weaker class, use BM. The point is, kids need to learn Math and Science, in the language that suit them. Should let the school decides what is best. But then this is a remedy to solve a symptom.
The disease is, our education system is screwed up.





Maths & Sc in English hasn't been around for 10 years, the REAL RESULTS cant be seen yet