PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's school reforms will be "one of our greatest challenges", says Lim Kit Siang.

Lim, who is DAP advisor, said this in reference to Dr Mahathir reportedly wanting the Malaysian school syllabus to be changed in order to ensure students can master all important subjects and improve their employability.

"The reform of the school curriculum so that national schools will teach everybody all the important subjects that will be useful for the students deserve the support of all Malaysians who want an assured and bright future for future generations.

"It is time for Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, to unite to make Malaysia great, instead of focussing on lies, fear and hate to divide Malaysians," Lim said in a statement on Sunday (Dec 23).

He added that he saw no reason for Malaysia to not become a "top-class nation", showcasing to the world a "successful plural society".

"It time for Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, to unite to make Malaysia great, instead of focussing on lies, fear and hate to divide Malaysians," he said.

It was reported in November that Dr Mahathir had asked Education Minister Maszlee Malik to overhaul the school curriculum.

“The current education system is bad. It needs to be revolutionised. What they learn is not what they should learn.

“We need to change the curriculum and timetable of what they learn in school,” Dr Mahathir had said when meeting the Malaysian diaspora in Singapore on Nov 12.

On a separate matter, Lim also touched on his visit to China as the DAP delegation.

He said that he was particularly impressed by the "drive and commitment" of the Chinese to greater achievements and excellence.

"The emphasis on human capital as the most important resource of the nation is worthy of emulation not only by Malaysia, but by all nations of the world," he said.