This is the second part of Nurul Izzah’s interview, to go to the first part, click here.

Malaysian Digest: What is your opinion on BTN and the state of education in our country?

Nurul Izzah: I’ve never attended the BTN courses. It was an astounding fact that RM550 million was spent for BTN over the last ten years. Again it’s very sad because I think that money can be used to improve the state of education in our country. Even the fact that they split the Minister of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education for me is not the best step because education for me is a continuous process. Those who graduated after form five are possibly the one who are going to attend tertiary education and also we must not take for granted vocational and technical schools. South Korea is doing wonders with their vocational and technical schools because not everyone who graduated with a degree is the best.

Honestly, you have to give people room to choose and flexibility to excel wherever they go. I think we need to take a serious look at our education system. They are just too much flip-flop going on. I am totally against the PPSMI because our results have suffered since its introduction. At the Mathematics Olympiad which is a worldwide math competition, we fared better when mathematics were thought in Malay. Don’t get me wrong, I love English but don’t teach them technical language, that’s the issue. Singapore is doing well because most of them speak English at home. But here is a different thing. You should improve the teachers teaching the English Language classes rather than math and science classes.

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"The ministers; they don't care because they send their child to private school," Nurul Izzah

There was not even a study on the policy before its implementation. Can you imagine this is people’s education? The ministers; they don’t care because they send their children to private schools. I went to Assunta, a public school, and I was lucky enough to have money for tuition so that I can excel in SPM. But that’s not the case with many other students. My father insisted on me going to a local university to show an example as of a policy maker who believe and care for our education system. It’s like treating other children like your own. But that’s not the case with most ministers since they send their children to private schools. They won’t be affected if they themselves mess up our education system. It shows that they don’t believe in the policy that they have created. I am very worried for I have kids of my own.

MD: What do you think of the NEP and the upcoming New Economic Model?
 

NI: I think we’ve been talking about the New Economic Policy or the new economic model for so long. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, my father, took the risk of voicing out against the NEP. It really is important to bring this out. As to the readiness of the government to come out with a new economic model, I’m still skeptical. It was so difficult just to get them to revise the figures for growth prior to the budget. We were pushing them by telling them that they cannot achieve 5.8% because it’s not possible. But yet they were stuck with the figures and I think to the detriment of the country. Politics aside, they need to remain realistic because it will affect businesses.

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"As an MP I know that I’m doing my best," Nurul Izzah.

I was shock to discover the UBS (Union Bank of Switzerland) report on capital outflow especially end of March and early 2009, which was staggering. Malaysia was listed as probably one of the worst country hit in term of capital outflow domestically driven. And about the same time, CIMB released another report trying to cover up saying that it’s a normal practice. So that is why I remain skeptical. If you talk about a new economic model they have to be ready to embrace the prevailing weaknesses which I don’t think they have.

As for the new economic model, Pakatan Rakyat at its recent convention has agreed to a needs base affirmative action plan. So it’s no longer just about the Malays and yet the Malays need not worry because they still represent the bulk of the poor with high fertility rate. I believe that we cannot continue with the way things are.

How do you cope with being an MP, a wife and mother of two?

I am relatively a very private person, so politics was quite difficult for me during the earlier years. I was trying very hard to not let people know that I was the daughter of the Deputy Prime Minister until the day he was sacked. Then I want everyone to know that I’m Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter. I had my first child during the last General Election in 2008. It was a very difficult decision. But I believe it’s the best way to educate my children by the things that I’m doing.

I had my second child six months ago and I wish the timing was much better. We live with my parents so we have a lot of support. I believe I’m very lucky and my husband is very supportive. It can be frustrating sometimes because there are many things that you can’t solve when you have to depend on other entity like the police force and DBKL in order to get things done.

I was quite affected by criticisms but after a while I’ve gotten very comfortable in this role. As an MP I know that I’m doing my best and yet I also need to be humble and not think that I’m above everyone else. The political landscape is shaped very much for a man. That cannot be denied, they expect you to go down everywhere without having a personal life. I try to have sort of a gender sensitive education. I believe women should also play a role in shaping our political landscape. Above all I think everything you do you have to be very sincere.
 

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