LETTER | When Robert Kuok talked about Malaysia on the “wrong track,” of course many of us sat up and listened. But then, is this something new to most us?

Here is the problem, even as he said the obvious, many would still want to dispute. Some would never want to admit we have committed wrong policies which shackled this country of its full potentials.

Malaysia has been on the wrong track for a long time already. Even if we realise this, many would prefer to live in denial. We ignored the failures staring right in front on us and preferred to persist with our wayward and parochial ways.

Let’s take education as an example. For how long has the nation been debating and arguing? In recent times, even Malay leaders and activists too have doubted our national schools.

If there is nothing wrong, why has there been so much dissatisfaction, doubts and arguments over the years? Why do we keep arguing that our students and graduates are not knowledgeable and competitive enough when in essence we have done nothing to rectify the situation?

How many revamps and blueprints have we proposed and undertaken? But what really happened over the years are informal infiltrations of parochialism, bigotry, religion and poor work culture into our school system.

We know that this country needs English and “internationalisation” more than many other countries. Yet we have leaders who argue defiantly and stupidly that not all countries using English are successful.

Look, China does not need to learn Malay to deal with us. But we need to learn Chinese and English to deal with them and the rest of the world. If some of the leaders do not understand what I am saying, then maybe they shouldn’t be there in the first place.

I just don’t understand why are we subjecting our people, particularly the lower income groups, to this perpetual poverty trap?

We argued that if we introduce English-medium schools, rural students will be disadvantaged. But where do rural students studying Malay end up today? Why are we not solving our existing problems but only want to focus on potential problems?

Just look around us for goodness sake - who are the most versatile, confident and high income earners, if not those who have studied in or are well-versed in English, regardless of race and religion?

I am afraid our leaders are not talking sense. They could talk about national language, culture and patriotism so long as the students are not their own children.

I think it is time for Malaysians to think critically what is good for their children, not be blinded by endless stupid arguments.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.