Deputy National Unity Minister Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, who reportedly asked in August 2020 for vernacular schools to be phased out, clarified yesterday that he merely wanted the institution to strengthen the Malay language and not abolish them.

"In Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Wan Fayhsal has backed away from his own stance on abolishing the vernacular schools which he took last year. He explained that he did not mean to shut down but to strengthen the Malay language as the medium of instruction in the vernacular schools," Sim said.

"Among the many U-turns, this is a positive development. I welcome the change in his stance," he said, referring to the Bersatu Youth chief.