Najib: Mastery Of English Vital In Attracting Investors

The mastery of English by Malaysians has been an asset to the nation particularly in attracting foreign investors, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

He said, however, there was concern that the command of English was diminishing among Malaysians, especially in the rural areas, and in government funded schools across the country.

The trend should not be left unchecked as the deterioration in proficiency of the English language would result in the loss of whatever advantage Malaysia had in drawing foreign investors, Najib said at the launch of the RHB-New Straits Times “Spell-It-Right (SIR) Challenge”, here today.

“Of course there are certain groups who would say that as Malaysians, Bahasa Malaysia should be our main language, and that it should be the language that is championed by all. While it is without doubt that Bahasa Malaysia has an exalted place in all our hearts and that it would forever be the National language, the stark reality is that English is the primary language of commerce and science the world over, today,” he said.

He said there was a need to have a strong command of English to get ahead in the world, both as a nation and also as individuals.

Najib said learning English, and mastering it, did not make Bahasa Malaysia any less important but made the people and country stronger, more resilient and more prepared to face the challenges of the future.

He therefore urged all teachers and parents to take heed of the importance of ensuring Malaysian children learnt English and used the language as much as possible in their daily lives. (NST)

***** What a refreshingly realistic view. For once Najib has not pandered to the base instincts of those Malay language fanatics who obstinately refuse to see the writing on the wall and those who persist in untenable arguments that if the Japanese, French and Koreans can excel with their mother tongue being given primacy, so can we.

It's about time that the government stops playing politics with the national language and ensures the greater use of English even if it be initially considered an unpopular move. It must be remembered that even China, the fastest growing economy in the world today has placed much emphasis on learning English, despite Mandarin having become an increasingly important language in international commerce.

Bahasa Malaysia lovers have nothing to worry. Our national language is very well entrenched and in an extremely safe position. No one, not even the most pessimistic doomsayer in the country in his heart of hearts actually believes in the poppycock theories that our language is being sidelined or degraded.
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