Prime Minister insists the Federal Constitution and the status of Malay as the national language cannot be compromised, while affirming support for multilingual proficiency.
KUALA LUMPUR : – Any claims that lead to religious, racial and ethnic sensitivities must take into account the position of the national language in the country’s Constitution, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said that as Prime Minister, the principle contained in the Federal Constitution regarding the position of Bahasa Melayu will continue to be defended and supported.
“Lately, there have been various demands regarding language, some want to emphasise English, some want recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
“I want to explain this, this is Malaysia. The Malay language is the official language and must be elevated as the language of knowledge that is mastered by all Malaysians,” he said as reported by Bernama.
Anwar, who is also the Minister of Finance, said the dignity of the Malay language must be elevated in accordance with its position in the country’s Constitution and its mastery must be strengthened among the people.
He said that if the principles and issues have been implemented, then only proposals to strengthen the mastery of other languages and recognition of UEC can be put forward.
“If this is clear, to raise the issue of the need to increase the use of English, I agree. But Bahasa Melayu, the language of new technology, the language of AI (artificial intelligence), the language for knowledge, must be strengthened and the mastery of that language must be good among all the people.
“All streams. I don’t care about Chinese, Tamil, English, they must master the Malay language and this is also the condition we impose on international schools. They can use English as a medium but they must pass and master Bahasa Melayu,” he said.
Anwar said any proposal that focuses on one language or one race and leaves out the discussion on the country’s main language is seen as leading to problems.
Therefore, the Prime Minister reminded any party that submits proposals on matters related to language, must comply with the principles of the Constitution with priority being the mastery of Bahasa Melayu.
Earlier, DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming was reported to have said that the party would meet with the Prime Minister regarding the recognition of UEC.
MEANWHILE DAP secretary general Anthony Loke has delivered a blunt message, the scoop.my reported.
He is prepared to resign immediately as Transport Minister if stepping down would guarantee the federal government’s recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate.
“But will that solve anything? If Anthony Loke stops being a minister today, will UEC be recognised tomorrow?.
“If yes, I will resign immediately. But that’s not the reality,” he said.
Loke was responding to frustration from grassroots members after DAP’s weak performance in the recent Sabah state election, where some supporters pushed for the party to sever ties with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government.
