M.Krishnamoorthy
A media coach, adjunct professor and journalist
Malaysia’s education system is racially and religiously polarised. To make dramatic changes for the nation's dynamic growth, can Malaysia have a more dynamic education minister who is not religiously and racially biased? No country can develop unless its citizens are educated.
In a YouTube release on 6 February 2021, Datuk Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas says the education system is a “complete and utter failure” and calls for a "systemic shift" to Malaysia's Education System. The term "systemic shift" is Dr Syed Ali's original coinage and was first publicly announced in this video.
The history of the nation has been changed in educating our students. If kids do not learn together inter-racially, how will they live together? Deeply divisive issues poison inter-communal harmony, which the nation should enjoy.
Education is the most powerful weapon which can leapfrog Malaysia into a leading nation.
The power of education extends beyond the development of skills we need for economic success. It can contribute to nation-building and reconciliation, Nelson Mandela said.
“Education is the great engine of personal development. Through education, the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, the son of a worker can become the head of the mine, and the child of a farm worker can become the president of a great nation. What we make out of what we have, not what we are given, separates one person from another.”
Young people must take it upon themselves to ensure they receive the highest education possible to represent us well as future leaders.
Malaysian youngster Jessica Sin took to social media on the weakness, lack of meritocracy and how racially biased the Malaysian education system is.
Education Ministry officials must hear her thoughts and take remedial measures to improve the system.
Listen to Jessica as she bravely speaks out:
“So, I'm a millennial living in Malaysia. Now, I'm unhappy with the state of racial discrimination in the country, especially when it comes to things like education and opportunities. In my SPM in 2010, I got straight A+s and 9 A+ for all my core subjects in SPM. I participated in extracurricular activities, holding leadership roles and representing my school in various competitions. But they rejected me when I went to apply for a JPA overseas scholarship. And I discovered that Bumiputeras got 3 or 4 A+ to get overseas scholarships to study in the UK for 4 or 5 years.
Now I acknowledge that I know that Bumiputera's have special rights. Malaysia rejected me, but you know what? An Australian university in the top 50 gave me a full scholarship, including living expenses, and there is no bond. And a university in the US gave me a full scholarship to pursue my MBA with no bond at all. And you wonder why so many talented Malaysians move abroad.
Another Malaysian Professor, Siva Muthaly got the Best Teacher Award and excels in Australian Universities.
Jessica continued in her TikTok: “And you look at what is happening to Malaysia, the state of the economy, foreign investors are pulling out, the Ringgit is dropping badly, and talent is going abroad. Will things get better for Malaysia? If we want our country to prosper and get better economically, we need people who can contribute and appreciate the talent that we have in the country and not let the brain drain continue further.”
Our education system requires us to prepare for Malaysia's future growth and globalisation. We cannot achieve our goals and outcomes if only half the population is educated in tertiary courses focused on the arts. Let's grow together or keep losing our best brains to other developing countries that hire our geniuses.
For this reason, we need to revamp our educational policy and bias in intakes. Finally, if not, Malaysia will deteriorate into blissful ignorance. We will return to being a mediocre society and watch the other countries grow faster than us.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, associate professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman and Member of Parliament.
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