KL to press on with multi-race schools despite Chinese protest

KL to press on with multi-race schools despite Chinese protest

KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Malaysia will continue with its planned multiracial schools despite objections from a Chinese "extremist" educational group, Prime Minister Mahathir said on Monday.

The government, which fears the races are becoming too polarized, is planning nine "vision schools" to bring together Malays, Chinese and Indians at primary school age.

"We will have to think of our country's future with people of the various races living together, starting at the school level," Mahathir was quoted as saying by the national news agency, Bernama. "They want everything to be segregated."

Pupils will share facilities in a common campus but will be educated separately in their own languages.

But the Dong Jiao Zhong, representing all Chinese school boards and teachers' associations, opposes the plan amid concerns it will eventually threaten mother-tongue teaching.

Last Wednesday Mahathir's ruling coalition suffered a surprise defeat by the opposition in a by-election for a state assembly seat.

Analysts said Chinese voters, who had solidly supported the government in November 1999 elections, were suspicious of the vision schools plan.

They also resented Mahathir's strong attack in August on a Chinese pressure group known as Suqiu and his more recent criticism of the Dong Jiao Zhong.

Mahathir defended the vision school project, saying it was aimed at strengthening racial unity and "nothing to do with Chinese language or Chinese schools."

His ministers have said no Chinese school will be forced to take part in the pilot scheme.

"We want Malaysians from all races to start mixing from primary school age to build harmonious racial relations... those who oppose this are actually opposing the process of unifying the people," Mahathir told a press conference.

The premier labeled the Dong Jiao Zhong as "extremist," saying that it was acting in a manner that "seemed as if they want to threaten the government."

"The vision school does not obstruct the development of Chinese schools, so we will not call it off," he said.

The premier added that the government would also stick to its plan to require university students of various races to share accommodation to further enhance racial integration.

Dong Jiao Zhong officials say "ambiguous guidelines" for the schools could threaten the development of Chinese schools.

Ethnic Malays make up slightly over half of Malaysia's 22 million population. The Chinese account for about 26 percent and Indians eight percent.

Race relations are a sensitive subject, although there has been no open enmity since riots in 1969 killed hundreds of people.