LETTER | I note with interest the response from Umno Youth executive council member Wan Zuhir Ghazali to the proposal by Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong, to teach the history of all Malaysian races to schoolchildren.

Zuhir instead suggested that it would be better to close vernacular schools in order to foster unity.

Khoo’s proposal was clearly made in the interest of fostering unity in Malaysia. In contrast, Zuhir seemed more interested in chasing headlines with a provocative statement.

It’s unfortunate that this is the quality of Umno’s next generation of leaders, who are supposed to drive the rejuvenation of the party.

However, it is not surprising considering Zuhir’s remarks align with the current approach of the Umno Youth leadership, which seems to prefer inflammatory rhetoric over practical solutions for improving Malaysia.

It is pertinent to note that the constitutionality of vernacular schools in Malaysia has already been upheld in the Court of Appeal ruling in the case of “Mohd Zai bin Mustafa v Menteri Pendidikan Malaysia and Ors (2024) 2 MLJ 384”.

It held that “not only are the establishment and maintenance of national-type schools not inconsistent with Article 152(1) of the Federal Constitution but also that the use of Tamil and Chinese in such schools are subject to the protection accorded under Article 152(1)(b).”

The Federal Court has also dismissed the application to appeal against the above decision.

If Umno wants to restore its former glory and win back the Malay vote, its youth leadership must mature and move beyond childish statements designed for publicity.

Instead, they should follow DAP's example by focusing on proposals that will genuinely benefit Malaysia.

Writer is a National DAP Youth executive council member.

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