PETALING JAYA, Sept 7 (Sin Chew Daily) — Politicians are hypocrites. They send their children to private schools but want government-run vernacular primary schools closed, claims Muar MP Syed Saddiq, who is set to form a multiracial party dominated by young people.

Saddiq regretted the call by PPBM Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayshal to shut down vernacular schools in stages, saying the call did not reflect the Malaysian spirit.

In an interview with Sin Chew Daily, Saddiq said If Chinese schools were to be banned in the country, others would ask about religious as well as private schools.

"What about politicians who send their children to expensive private schools and ask for vernacular schools to be shut down? These are hypocrites," he said.

He cited the example of Umno Youth chief Datuk Asraf Wajdi Dusuki who sent his children to Chinese primary school.

"Don't forget about Rukunegara and the Federal Constitution," he said.

Syed Saddiq said the ultimate issue in education is quality. The most important thing is to strike a balance by upgrading the standard of national education. 

"We do not need to ban private schools and religious schools. The key lies with upgrading the quality of national education for it to be the top choice for all people," he said.

On this issue, all Malaysians should embrace and promote the country's diversity and upgrade the standard of education together.

Politicians should provide allocations to improve government schools, he said.

Syed Saddiq opines that in order to progress, Malaysians must strike a balance, promote diversity, be fair and willing to compromise.