Education Is Not A Zero Sum Game/ 教育非零和游戏

The strong reaction to the Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s suggestion that UiTm be opened to non-Bumiputeras is alarming, adding to the racially-charged tension of the past week which started with the protests over the Bar Council forum on Muslim conversion issues last Saturday.Tan Sri Khalid in making the suggestion, is saying what non-bumi like to hear.

But I do fear that some interest groups will try to manipulate the issue into a zero sum game between the different races of this country, which is to say that one racial group can only benefit at the expense of another.

This has turned into another divisive issue, which cannot be healthy for the country. If we are not careful, the country will be torn apart by our differences of opinion rather than be united by our common goals.

While I respect the rights of students and various bodies to object to Tan Sri Khalid’s suggestion, it is the angry tone of the protests, as exemplified through various press statements and the placards carried by protesters, which has caused some concern among the majority of all right-thinking Malaysians from all races and religions.

Education is a particularly politicized issue in this country, although it should not be so. What the MCA and its senior leaders should emphasize at this point is its stand on the issue.

The MCA should seek to point out that the common goal for all Malaysians is for the government to ensure the highest quality educational opportunities for all Malaysians, be they Malays, Kadazans, Ibans, Indians or Chinese. Whether or not UiTM is opened to non-Bumipueras is an issue which can be discussed in an open, mature fashion.

While I understand the aversion of most Malaysians and their political leaders towards any racially-charged issue, it is also unhealthy to sweep things under the carpet. I believe the majority of right-thinking Malaysians, be they of any racial group, are not just mature enough but are also sensitive enough to each other’s feelings to discuss and debate issues of concern to everyone.

Name-calling or sloganeering will not resolve matters, unless we are in a competition to see who can shout the loudest. The MCA, as one of the oldest political party in the country, can play a role, to be a beacon of moderation and progressiveness, if its leaders stand up for all Malaysians in times like these.

If other races feel uncomfortable with the Chinese, for example, it is the MCA’s responsibility to assure them that what we stand for is a Malaysia in which all of us are equal partners in this country.

I believe that Tan Sri Khalid’s suggestion should be taken at face value. I choose to see it as a suggestion which everyone is entitled to disagree with, but should be respected. I cannot see how he should be called a traitor, as was suggested in some of the strong public statements in response to his suggestion.

If the institution were to ever open its doors to non-Bumiputeras, it would be welcomed, just as any educational institution associated with the Chinese community always welcomes students from all communities.

I am sure it will promote interaction among students of all races. This is what the Government is trying to do with all sorts of programs. Let us not be distracted by the divisive rhetoric of the past week, whether it is about religion or race. Let us talk about our common goals as Malaysians to ensure the best education for all Malaysians.

Education is not a zero sum game.

雪兰莪州务大臣丹斯里卡立提出开放玛拉工艺学院的学额给非土著的建议，引起马来社群强烈，这令日前因为反对律师工会举办回教徒论坛所挑起的种族紧张气氛升温。事实上，丹斯里卡立所说的正是非土著所爱听的话。
然而，我担心有心人将企图把上述课题扭曲成国内各种族间的一场零和游戏，即一个种族得益，等于其他族群蒙亏。这将演变成一个分歧性的课题，对国家不是一种健康现象。如果我们不谨慎处理，国家将因为意见的分歧而四分五裂，失焦于为共同目标而团结一致。

我尊重那些学生及各组织的反对权力，那是群众的愤怒声音，他们通过声明文告及大字报提出抗议，来自国内各种族、宗教背景的有正确思维人士，已经对这样的局势表示关注。尽管我们坚持教育不该被政治化，但在我国，教育课题已经成为政治议题。

而在玛拉大学的风波上，马华及其资深领袖当前必须阐明他们在这个课题的立场。

马华应该指出，全体马来西亚人民的共同目标，是要政府确保能向所有人民提供最高素质的教育机会，不论是马来人、卡达山族、伊班族、印裔或华人。玛拉工艺大学是否要开放给非土著，其实是一项可以开放及成熟的讨论。

据我了解，大部分大马人民及政治领袖对任何种族课题感到不自在，其实把问题扫在地毯下是不健康的做法。我相信，大部分有正确思维的大马人民，不管他们来自哪一个宗教，不仅是态度成熟，同时也能够以体谅他人感受的态度，去讨论或辩论那些尤关每一个人权益的课题。

指名道性或高喊口号将无法解决事情，除非我们比赛谁喊得最大声。马华作为国内其中一个历史悠久的政党，可以扮演引领中庸及先进性的角色。举例说，如果其他族群对华人不满，那么马华有责任向他族证明，我们强调的是国内全体人民都是同等的伙伴。

我认为应该从表面意义去看待丹斯里卡立的建议。或者这是所有人都不赞同的建议，但必须给予尊重。我不认为他应该被视为叛徒。

若该大学日后开放给非土著，将是受欢迎的举措，就像任何由华社创办的学员，一向来都开放门户给各族群学生。我确信，这将促进各种族学生互相交融，这也是政府在各项计划所要贯彻的精神。我们不要因为过去一星期出现言分歧论而自我分化，不论是关系到宗教或种族。让我们放眼一个共同目标，确保所有大马人民都能有最好的教育。

教育绝对不是一场零和游戏！