KUALA LUMPUR, January 6 – In a recent dialogue session with officials from the Ministry of Higher Education, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged Malaysians and higher learning institutions to prioritize mastery of both Bahasa Melayu (BM) and English among students. Anwar emphasized that proficiency in the national language not only fosters national pride and identity but also indirectly contributes to mastering the English language, a skill he deems crucial in the contemporary world.
He called for the immediate implementation of policies in universities making BM mastery a requirement, drawing inspiration from Thailand’s successful approach where English proficiency is insisted upon alongside the native language. Anwar dispelled the misconception that promoting English proficiency comes at the expense of BM, describing it as an outdated view. He assured that a focus on English would not compromise proficiency in the national language. The Prime Minister encouraged universities to consider language proficiency as a collective advantage rather than a zero-sum game.
Additionally, Anwar advocated for greater flexibility in tertiary education institutions to tailor programs that meet current needs, warning that a leadership change might be necessary if necessary adjustments are not made within the next two years. The remarks were part of the “Wacana Strategi Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi” program, organized by the Higher Education Ministry to discuss the future direction of higher learning institutions in 2024. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir also attended the event.
