Prioritise English, embrace Bahasa Malaysia
SIBU: Sarawak is being encouraged to uphold the practice of using English as the primary working language, while also integrating Bahasa Malaysia into everyday conversations. Sibu Municipal Council chairman, Clarence Ting Ing Horh, stressed the necessity for students to master English in order to communicate effectively on an international level. “Master your English because our […]
Why the polemics on English language!
KUCHING: English language or rather the use of this ‘colonial language’ as some people in Malaysia have termed it, is in the limelight yet again. It has sparked off the latest round of debates, especially among political leaders. Sarawak has made it very clear, as explained by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun […]
Yes! It’s paloi …
The use of English in government departments is dismal. Government officials cannot participate in international conferences effectively because most are handicapped. Luckily, we still have some good English-educated and well-spoken English graduates. That generation is fading away rapidly and we will lose out. – Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, economist and ex-senior civil servant It looks […]
Concurring with ‘silly and stupid’ measure comment
KUCHING: Those in the civil service should be encouraged to learn and raise their standards of English in order to have world class civil servants apart from the use of Bahasa Malaysia. In saying this, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin pointed out that we are now living in a globalised world and an […]
Penalty for using English myopic!
KUCHING: The importance and effectiveness of the English language should not be underestimated, said Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn. The Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister was reacting to Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali’s recent statement that the Public Service Department (JPA) should consider punitive measures to enforce the use […]
Exclude Sarawak from punitive policy
KUCHING: Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan has demanded that Sarawak’s regressive policy requiring the use of Bahasa Malaysia (BM) in government be exempted or excluded. “There is simply no way we could avoid using English as our means of communication in the state. “Enforcing punitive measure only makes […]
Keeping students proficient in BM
BY UMIE SYAZWANIE MOHD KUCHING: Educationists in Sarawak believe that the proficiency of Bahasa Malaysia among students has declined due to their attitude towards the national language. On June 10, Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said students performed badly in the 2020 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) Bahasa Malaysia paper compared to 2019. University Malaysia […]
Bahasa Malaysia understood by all
KUCHING: Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) is always open-minded to suggestions from members of the community in all matters, assured Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs and DBKU) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi. “However, the decision is up to DBKU’s management and administration. It is hoped that those who bring forth their […]
‘Better Bahasa Malaysia than Jawi’
KUCHING: Bahasa Malaysia as the national language should be loved and mastered by every Malaysian and elevated as a major unifier instead of Jawi. This is because by contrast Jawi is just a writing system used for writing the Malay language and several other languages of Southeast Asia such as Acehnese, Banjarese, Kerinci, Minangkabau and […]
