Kuala Lampur, March 25 -- Recently, I was asked by friends why I did nothing to enhance the teaching of science and mathematics when I was Minister of Education. This caught me by surprise because despite the media coverage on all the initiatives I launched, it all still failed to capture the eyes of the people (mainly the English readers). It seems that sensational headlines regarding the teaching of Jawi, swimming pools and black shoes are more etched in their minds. I feel that it is important for me to share (yet again) what we did during the 20 months I spent at the ministry. More could have been done of course, but what has been done should be made known to Malaysians.

Manufacturing is a vital part of the Malaysian economy. It curr...