SAPP: Education ministry has thrown the Malaysia Agreement into the dustbin

KOTA KINABALU - The revelation today by the education department that only 64 out of the 598 new teachers arriving at Sabah this month are Sabahans shows that the education ministry has thrown the Malaysia Agreement 1963 into the dustbin, says SAPP.

SAPP president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee reminded that the Malaysia Agreement is explicit that the Borneonisation of the civil service is a binding obligation on the Malaysian government. But, instead of gradually implementing Borneonisation of the civil service by replacing West Malaysian teachers with Sabah teachers, it seems that the government is speeding up the complete Malayanisation of the civil service in Sabah, especially in education and religion for whatever hidden agenda.

He said the primary schools are meant to teach our students how to read and count, to know geography, to understand science and history and to be civic-minded. The proper places for large number of religious teachers is at the religious schools, not normal schools.

"The latest posting of large numbers of religious teachers to non-religious schools, including Chinese primary schools and mission schools, gives rise to legitimate concern of a hidden religious and political agenda," said Yong.

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) is a local opposition party, the first political party that pursued autonomy for Sabah.