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KEPONG Member of Parliament Lim Lip Eng has called on PAS to implement Tamil and Mandarin language subjects at its own Islamic preschools, Pusat Asuhan Tunas Islam (Pasti), before proposing the same for national schools.
The call came in response to a recent statement by PAS Deputy President Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who proposed on Saturday that Mandarin and Tamil be introduced as subjects in national schools to foster racial unity among Malaysians.
“If Tuan Ibrahim is sincere about the proposal to teach Tamil and Mandarin in national schools, then he should first prove his commitment by introducing these subjects in Pasti,” Lim said in a statement on Sunday.
He warned PAS leaders against merely speaking on grand stages without practising what they preach within their own institutions.
Media outlets had reported that during his speech at the PAS annual congress (Muktamar), Tuan Ibrahim suggested the inclusion of both languages in the national curriculum as a step towards interethnic harmony.
However, Lim pointed out that both languages are already offered as elective subjects in national schools, casting doubt on whether the PAS leader genuinely understood the current education system.
“This proposal clearly shows he does not understand the existing education framework — or worse, is intentionally stoking racial sentiments by raising a non-issue,” said Lim.
He also reminded PAS not to turn children’s education into what he described as “cheap political fodder”.
“The real question now is: is this the official position of PAS or merely Tuan Ibrahim’s personal view?
“If it’s just a personal rhetorical flourish, then education should not be exploited for political gain.
“But if this is indeed a new policy direction from PAS, then state it clearly and prove it through immediate implementation in Pasti,” he added. - September 14, 2025