The subject of the national education system always invites a variety of opinions from all quarters of Malaysian society. I was asked for comments on this subject last Saturday. Although I had given my answer, I feel it pertinent to articulate it once again, and perhaps invite more discussion on this in my blog.
However which way the debate goes, the fact is this: our education blueprint was drafted from the standpoint that all Malaysians have the right to their choice of education in this country. It was a wish of the people following our Independence, and the government acted in accordance with that wish.
Over the years and at almost in every instance, the issue of the ideal education system for Malaysia is politicised. As the Prime Minister for all Malaysians, I view that all of us must find equilibrium. Let us all be reminded that at the end of the day, the crux of the issue is ensuring that our future generations, our future leaders, are able to obtain the best education system. We must make that leap into a knowledge- and innovation-based economy. This is one reason why I announced during the recent budget for the National Scholarship to be awarded to 30 of the best performing SPM students based purely on merit.
I have heard many of you call for a switch to a single-stream system as a way to promote greater unity and integration among Malaysians. However, many do not constitute most. I have also heard many who feel strongly for the right to choose based on the existing education system. I have heard these two different opinions and acknowledge them.
Hence, we must collectively agree upon a system that benefits all Malaysians, that espouses the values we all uphold. Are we prepared to eschew the right to choose and seek a compromise? In voicing our viewpoint, have we given thought to the differing opinions of others? While the public is still ambivalent and disinclined to make that collective decision, I do not wish for discord to arise within our society on a subject of great sensitivity. Even the noblest of intentions can be rendered pointless if we are unprepared to accept and embrace it. We will move to a single stream school only when we are ready and only if this is the wish of the "rakyat".
"1Malaysia, People First, Performance Now"
YAB Dato' Seri PM,
Saya tidak berniat untuk menjadi juara rakyat atau menjadi golongan tidak bersyukur, tetapi inilah keluhan golongan penjawat awam marhaein seperti saya, dan masih ramai lagi di luar yang marhaien seperti saya.
Saya sebagai rakyat Malaysia, mencadangkan supaya satu kajian menyeluruh ke atas semua cabang perkhidmatan untuk menentukan pertindihan bidang tugas yang akhirnya merugikan perbelanjaan negara/ wang rakyat. Mungkin terdapat agensi-agensi yang boleh disatukan, sebagai contoh, Jabatan Imigresen, jabatan Pendaftaran dan Jabatan Kastam boleh disatukan secara tidak langsung, peruntukan kenderaan dan lojistik tiga jabatan berlainan dapat disatukan dan dikurangkan kerana dalam satu pergerakan dapat menguatkuasakan 3 undang-undang (telah dilaksanakan di Singapura), begitu juga Trafik disatukan dengan JPJ, Marin disatukan dengan APMM, Cawangan Anti Dadah Polis disatukan dengan Agensi Anti Dadah kebangsaan, itu hanya contoh, masih terdapat banyak agensi lain yang boleh disatukan.
Oleh kerana golongan istimewa ini (perkhidmatan yang dinaikkan gred) masih tidak lagi berpuashati, saya ingin melahirkan pandangan dan keluhan peribadi. Saya bertugas dalam agensi beruniform dengan jawatan Penolong Penguasa Gred 32, telah berkhidmat selama hampir 20 tahun, gaji RM 2400.00. Semasa mula bertugas dahulu kebanyakan perkhidmatan berada di gred yang sama dengan gaji yang sama, dan ada yang berada pada gred lebih rendah telah melompat atau dinaikkan ke gred lebih tinggi dengan gaji yang lebih tinggi, sedangkan perkhidmatan saya masih di takok yang sama dan lama. Dengan kenaikan gaji Polis yang diumum baru-baru ini, ramai yang merasa terkilan dan agak kecewa (bukan berdengki) termasuklah saya, jabatan kami disuruh berjimat kerana kegawatan ekonomi dan pada masa yang sama rakan-rakan kami yang lain mendapat kenaikan yang amat baik.
