Malay or English...To be or not to be!

PM Anwar: Govt depts should not entertain letters not written in the Malay language

CYBERJAYA, Oct 25 2023. — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today reminded all government departments not to entertain any letters written in a language other than the national language. Anwar said the Federal Constitution requires them to communicate with government departments in the national language. “So, I would like to give a reminder (to all government departments), that if they receive a letter from local companies or public and private universities in a language other than the national language, just return it to the sender. The empowerment of culture, language, and literature is an integral part of nation-building, so let us not underestimate it". Article 152 of the Federal Constitution states that the Malay language or Bahasa Melayu is the national language.

PUTRAJAYA, 23 Nov 2023. ---- Starting next year, the national education system has to improve students’ mastery of the English language while upholding the position of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“Don’t argue anymore, as if giving English importance will leave Bahasa Malaysia behind,” he said. Anwar added that if Malaysia’s economic progress and capability was to increase, Bahasa Malaysia must become the main language of knowledge, and be mastered by all Malaysians at all schools, including private and international schools. “A child of Malaysia must master Bahasa Malaysia. At the same time, all our children, especially at national schools, must be given focus so that their mastery of English is much better than it is now, so that they can at least be bilingual.”

steadyaku comment:

You can't have your cake and eat it too. The proverb literally means "you cannot simultaneously retain possession of a cake and eat it, too". Once the cake is eaten, it is gone.

Malayans...or later Malaysians....were already proficient and have mastered the English language because most of us then, were educated in that language. What happened? The powers that be brought in Bahasa to REPLACE the English language lock stock and barrel - and they did so without Bahasa being ready to take the place of the English Language. Now after decades of Bahasa being taught in schools, you want Malaysians to master the English language again? Huh! Tell that to the Marines.

Let us be candid here. It is the Malays that now have to master the English language after being educated in Bahasa. Do not worry about the Chinese and the Indians....their master of the English language are far far better than the Malays because they understand the importance of the English language dulu, kini dan selama lamanya. And while we are at it, let it be said that the Chinese and Indians are also no slouch when it comes to mastery of Bahasa. So really...as is always the case.... it is the Malays who have to play 'catch up'!!!

And....do not just say that you want Malaysian education to focus on English Mastery from next year. Tell us how you are going to achieve it. That is what matters because you saying that you want Malaysian education to focus on English mastery will NOT make it happen.

Enough said.