I refer to letter by TBH entitiled ' What is Pakatan's stand on PPSMI ' dated Sept 13.

There has been so much concern expressed by the people about PPSMI (Teaching and learning of science and maths in English) and MBMMBI. We hear and read about it almost everyday.

Naturally, parents are the most concerned about this issue as the future of their children is at stake. Some are in support of reverting to the PPSMI system whereas some are not that keen and there some who want English medium schools to be re-introduced, like in the old days.  

We also read and hear of people complaining about the decline in the standard of English in schools and universities and demand that something be done about it.

I believe that a referendum should be held to determine once and for all whether we should revert back to PPSMI or otherwise. Let the people decide on this issue and not politicians. Anyway it is they and their children who are directly affected by it.

As our prime minister has said "the days of the government knows best is over", we should therefore strongly consider holding a referendum. Currently, the issue has become political in nature and as such we should take politics out of education and let the people decide.

Therefore, I feel that Pakatan's stand on this issue is really not important. Referendum or plebiscites are a norm in Western democracies. In fact at this time and era when people have become more aware of their rights and are more aware of what they want, referendums should be the way to go in deciding important national issues.

Jeyaseelen Anthony is local councillor for Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya.