No one masterminding movement against use of English

The movement against the use of English in the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science (GMP) on Monday denied it was being masterminded by certain groups including the opposition parties.
GMP chairman Datuk Dr Hassan Ahmad said based on what transpired at the gathering on Saturday to protest against the use of English in the teaching of the two subjects was outside the power of the GMP, and "the GMP considered their presence as an expression of their support."
"No mastermind behind the incident. We are not a shadow play that is being directed by someone...those who came (to the gathering) as supporters, I don't want to say they are puppets, it's like an insult (to me)," he said at a press conference at 'Rumah Pena', here on Sunday.
Hassan said this when commenting on the statement by Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein yesterday that the gathering on Saturday was masterminded by the opposition based on the presence of several of their leaders at the street demonstration.
The gathering organised by the GMP, which was originally aimed at handing over a memorandum to the Yang diPertuan Agong was also joined by several opposition party leaders including PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, besides a small group of demonstrators who were seen carrying several opposition party logos.
Hassan said the GMP was not a movement that was politically inclined but upheld the basic principle of reverting to the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science in Bahasa Malaysia.
In this context, the GMP would hold a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi very soon before the Umno general assembly at the end of the month to explain the movement's stand as a peaceful committee.
"We want Pak Lah to resolve the PPSMI (teaching and learning of mathematics and science in English) issue immediately before it becomes more serious, we have good intentions in championing the principle of reverting to the old policy which had no problem in the national education system.
"We are not against the use of English as a language of knowledge but are demanding what is enshrined in the Constitution, that is, Bahasa Malaysia as the language that unites the various races in the country," he said.
He said the government should revert to the use of Bahasa Malaysia in the teaching of the two subjects, and the mother tongue in Chinese and Tamil National Type Schools besides improving the quality of the English language among teachers and students. - Bernama