Habit, practicality make Sarawakians prefer English for its global usage
By LYNCH COWAN
KUCHING: Bahasa Malaysia is undeniably the official language of Malaysia as prescribed by the Federal Constitution, but English is still the preferred language of communication among many Sarawakians from 26 ethnic groups because it is a global language.
In making this observation, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said although all Sarawakians can speak Bahasa Malaysia, this general preference for English is a simple matter of socio-cultural habit and practicality, and therefore there is nothing “unMalaysian” about it.
“In any case, proficiency in English is very important for industrial development and the current era of digital economy,” he said when opening a symposium on Technical and Vocational Education and Training 2019 here yesterday.
He stressed that as English is the basis or foundation for those who want to master science and technology.
“How would you master technology if you can’t read, write and understand English? We all know that almost every guide book is written in English,” he said.
“You won’t even be able to understand written instructions if you are weak in English.”
Concerning the technical and vocational education and training, he thought that it was an ideal platform for the government, industries and academia to explore the methods of developing existing talents in the digital economy.
The symposium which was attended by 500 delegates featured some great panel members from within and outside the country. They discussed the roles of TVET in the country’s Human Capital Development Strategic Plan.
State Education, Science and Technology Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong, State Permanent Secretary Tan Sri Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, and Permanent Secretary of Education, Science and Technology Research Datuk William Patrick Nyigor were among those present at the function.
