KUCHING: English is no longer a colonial language but a global language, said Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Datuk Peter Minos.
He stressed that regardless of what people in the peninsular region do or say, those in Sarawak must stick to what they had previously been agreed upon, which is to use English alongside Bahasa Malaysia (BM) as a means of communication.
“We go English not because of what people say but because this global language is so vital in our lives. We badly need it.
“English is no longer a colonial language. It is a global language of commerce and industry, banking and finance, internet and IT and more.
“No way can we escape from English. If the peninsular people can skip it, good luck to them. But they must not disturb Sarawak. We have a life and future to look after and that is in our hands,” he said in a statement today (Oct 29).
Minos added that the use of English is an issue that the people of Sarawak defend and stand together on.
“There is no way we can abandon English. Simply no way,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, Minos suggested that it is best and wise for the rest of the world to exert pressure on the United States (US) and appeal to their conscience to bring about peace in this troubled Middle East region.
“Only the US has the real power and largesse to get the two warring groups to the peace table. Talk and negotiate. Cease the killing,” he said.
He pointed out that many attempts at achieving lasting peace have failed.
“Peace seems elusive and it is such a great pity that thousands had perished since 1918 on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides. But let us hope that this time around there will be peace as war and conflict solve nothing.
“I think there will be eventually a lasting peace as the fighting and killing make people very weary and tired. There is simply no joy nor happiness seeing and hearing of the killings and destruction,” he added.
