Malaysia needs Indonesian teachers

From Tempo

I would like to comment on M.D. Wirya S. Pranata's letter (Tempo, June 4, 1994). The letter mentioned among other things that in the 1970s Malaysia needed Indonesian teachers, and now Malaysia is still employing Indonesian workers.

Once a teacher in Malaysia myself, I know that during that period Malaysia had a shortage of teachers who could teach in the Malaysian (Melayu) language. Malaysia got its independence from Britain in 1957. During British rule, the educational system was oriented to Britain and the medium of instruction was English.

After independence Malaysia wanted to change the system to education oriented to Malaysia, and used the Malaysian language as the medium of instruction. Malaysia took the matter seriously and stated so in its Constitution.

It took Malaysia 13 years to change the system by recruiting Indonesian teachers to teach in Malaysia.

Apart from teachers Malaysia also absorbs Indonesian workers. This is a shameful thing, indeed. Thousands of Indonesian workers have to leave their country to find jobs in Malaysia, through legal or illegal procedures. They even risk their lives in this venture.

AHMAD SAGHIR

Jakarta