The English language is nobody’s special property. It is the property of the imagination. It is the property of the language itself.
– Derek Walcott, Saint Lucian playwright
Do you know what really annoys and upsets me every time there is an official proposal attempting to sidestep the importance of English but to promote the national language?
Hypocrisy – the one word to describe what’s swirling in my mind. That’s what these backward proponents are – hypocrites.
The elites will send their children overseas for tertiary education, meaning they want their broods to learn and excel in English.
For the majority of Malaysian kids whose parents couldn’t afford to send them abroad – sorry lah, stay back and learn Bahasa. English is not important, so we have often been told.
For most of us who managed to receive a good English education at home or abroad, we know one thing. There is something seriously wrong with those who insist that learning English is not important for a Malaysian.
“You’ll be fine if you excel in the national language” is what we have heard so often in the past and again now. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
But you and I know better. Studies show that people who speak more than one language have improved memory, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, enhanced concentration, ability to multitask and better listening skills.
According to Studio Cambridge, English is spoken at a useful level by some 1.75 billion people worldwide – that’s one in every four!
Being able to speak English is not just about being able to communicate with native English speakers – if you want to speak to someone from another country then the chances are that you will both be speaking English to do this!
English is the language of the Internet. Knowing English will also help you to understand other languages. Travelling is a lot easier with knowing how to communicate in English.
I find the latest proposal from Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Zuki Ali for the Public Service Department (JPA) to consider punitive measures to enforce the use of Malay in the civil service and government-linked companies as most perplexing.
Zuki said this was in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s announcement that Malay would be used not only within the country but also internationally.
Immediately, the proposal drew flak from former International Trade and Industry (MITI) minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz who labelled it a “regressive policy”, while another former MITI minister, Darell Leiking, wants Sabah to be left out of such policies.
The G25 group of former top civil servants had also criticised Zuki, stressing the need to recognise the importance of the English language to Malaysia.
I am extremely happy that Sarawak leaders have joined the bandwagon in pouring cold water on such a silly and stupid directive.
Of all the comments from Sarawak ministers and GPS assemblymen, I find Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil’s statement very clear, concise and relevant.
Even on a matter like the English language, Dr Penguang reminded Putrajaya that Sarawak has its own autonomy and that Zuki’s directive has no relevance to the Sarawak civil service.
He pointed out English can and should continue to be used in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, court proceedings, and communication within the civil service.
“This is clearly enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which stipulates that Sarawak has the right to decide its own education system. We are living in the modern era where the majority of the international community use English,” the Marudi assemblyman told The Borneo Post.
Dr Penguang said most developed and developing countries are moving forward and encouraging the use of English.
“For us to penalise the civil servants who use or speak English is a step backward and perhaps isolating ourselves from the rest of the world”, he said.
Dr Penguang called for the country to be more liberal and moderate in whatever policy formulated.
Well-articulated, Dr Penguang. Syabas!
Another thing I wish to point out here and I hope that the top guns in Putrajaya will take note.
Have they ever noticed that all the Sarawak ministers at federal level are all good English speakers? Not only that. All our Sarawak Members of Parliament too, young and old.
In Sarawak, all our ministers, deputy ministers and state assembly members are all English speakers or at least, they are able to handle the language.
None of our Sarawak ministers or legislators have ever been known to embarrass us, Sarawakians, when they represent us abroad at international forums. Unlike some of our Malayan federal ministers.
Now, as far as English is concerned and how we should never stop stressing on its importance, Putrajaya should learn from Sarawak.
In this, Sarawak can teach Putrajaya a thing or two on how to handle English.
Hello, no shame to learn from Sarawak lah!
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
