By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, July 31: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has defended the use of English as a tool for acquiring knowledge, saying patriotism must also be matched with progress and development.
He said Sarawak had adopted a different approach towards the language, unlike views elsewhere that associated speaking English with a lack of patriotism.
“Here, we do not make noise about it. Elsewhere, they say English is not patriotic. ‘You do not have that spirit of patriotism because you also want to speak English.’
“If we are patriotic but do not achieve a high level of development, that is not true patriotism. Because people will not respect us.
“But if we have knowledge that we master, people will respect us,” he said during the Ziarah Mahabbah Majlis Islam Sarawak (MIS) 1448H/2026M Central Zone programme at Dataran Pehin Setia Raja in Mukah today, according to a live broadcast by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
He said English proficiency was important because it allowed access to new knowledge, particularly in science and technology, which would support Sarawak’s future development.
He added that this was why Sarawak continued to strengthen education initiatives, including the Sarawak Education Enhancement Programme (SEEP), which received RM25 million in State government allocation to enhance teachers’ and students’ mastery of knowledge.
Abang Johari also highlighted the Dual Language Programme (DLP), which supports the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics in English, as part of efforts to equip students with stronger foundations for the future.
Abang Johari also cited SMD Semiconductor chief executive officer Shariman Jamil as an example of Sarawakian talent making strides in the semiconductor industry, noting that Shariman has a laboratory in Cardiff and is collaborating with the University of Bristol on chip technology.
He said the development of advanced chips capable of storing vast amounts of data demonstrated the importance of building expertise in high-value industries.
“If we already have intellectual property (IP), we are on par with Nvidia, a company that produces chips,” he said.
Abang Johari said Sarawak was also aiming to launch a satellite into orbit by 2030, with satellites expected to play a role in storing and managing data.
He said these ambitions required young Sarawakians to strengthen their foundation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). — DayakDaily
