Recently, a news blog reported that Utusan Malaysia quoted Dr Mahathir as calling for vernacular schools to be shut down, describing it as the best way to reduce the racial divide.
Dr Mahathir apparently said one of the best ways to close the racial divide is through education, and among (the measures that can be taken is) abolishing vernacular schools.
He also claimed there were “certain races” that refused to enrol their children in national schools as they were akin to religious schools and even if the situation improved in national schools, minorities would still avoid enrolling their children in them.
Probably he was referring to the growing up process of every kid, where when we were a little kid, our parents usually chose our friends, putting us in play groups or arranging gatherings with certain children they knew and liked.
This, however, stops once we are older as we get to decide who our friends are and what groups we spend time with.
Our friends generally would be people our age or close to it who have experiences and interests similar to us.
All of us make dozens of decisions every day and there is a high probability that within the group of people or friends that we have, our individual choices and behaviors will ‘influence’ each other.
It is human nature to listen to and learn from other people in our age group.
As we become more independent, our peers naturally play a greater role in our life.
As school and other activities take us away from home, we probably spend more time with peers than with our parents and siblings.
We will probably develop close friendships and may feel connected to them, like an extended family with some of our peers.
And these peers will also influence us by the way they dress and act and things they are involved in.
It is natural for people to identify with and compare themselves to their peers.
Generally, most of us are influenced by peers because we want to fit in, be like peers we admire, do what others are doing, or have what others have.
Responding to peer pressure is part of human nature.
Some people are more likely to give in, and others are better able to resist and stand their ground. People who are low on confidence and those who tend to follow rather than lead could be more likely to seek their peers' approval by giving in to a risky challenge or suggestion.
People who are unsure of themselves, new to the group, or inexperienced with peer pressure may also be more likely to give in.
Thus, to blame that vernacular schools are dividing the country appears to be scrapping the bottom of the barrel in Dr Mahathir’s latest diatribe.
After governing the country for 22 years and 20 months, he should be well aware that leadership is a process in which an individual influences the behavior and attitudes of other people.
In his first stint, a lot of Malaysians no doubt will agree that he set positive and good examples for every Malaysian.
He inspired, to a certain extent, Malaysians, regardless of their background, faith and race to do the best that they can do for the benefit of the country as a whole.
Instead of arbitrating, which a good leader should do when conflict arises and resolve it quickly so as not to break the country, he instead, used all the available tools and laws to instill fears and silence into those involved in the conflicts and to a large extent created a fearsome environment for the ordinary rakyat .
He only appreciates the contribution of Malaysians only when it fits his purpose but most of the time, he will make certain segments of Malaysians feel inferior to another segment of Malaysians.
Nelson Mandela, the leader which Dr Mahathir publicly admitted he admired the most, led South Africa out of apartheid and into an era of reconciliation and majority rule.
Instead, Dr Mahathir led the majority into an increasingly divisive and widening gap against the minority in this country.
Instead of closing the racial divide while he was the leader of the country for 22 years and 20 months, he was instrumental in widening the rift.
In fact, the best and easiest way to narrow or do away with the racial divide is first to close down all the political parties that are race based.
Political parties whose memberships are open to every Malaysian should only be allowed to participate in the political landscape.
Politicians are lawmakers and they can propose and enact laws or regulations to do so.
Malaysians don’t believe the situation will ever improve in the national schools when instead of progressing forward, the facts has shown that the standards has shown a dramatic decline.
E.g Compared to our neighbor, Singapore is ranked second in the world in mathematics, science and reading while Malaysia is ranked 48th, 48th, and 57th, respectively (rankings obtained from the Programme for International Student Assessment by the OECD).
If Dr Mahathir does have the nation in his heart in narrowing the racial divide, he should first, call for a complete and total ban of all race based political parties.
Not the low hanging fruit of vernacular schools which is easily identifiable for his supporters.
This will set a good example for children in schools and it might lead to an eventual abandonment of vernacular schools.
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