By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 12: As a trading nation, Malaysia needs its people to be proficient in international languages, particularly English and Mandarin, to build global networks and strengthen the country’s competitiveness.
According to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, proficiency in multiple languages not only equips the younger generation with effective communication skills but also opens up greater opportunities in an increasingly competitive global economy.
He said Malaysians should strengthen their command of English without compromising patriotism, while continuing to uphold the national language as their identity and equipping themselves with the knowledge and scientific expertise needed for the future.
“What is wrong with using an international language if we want our children to develop an international mindset and outlook? We cannot view things only in the context of Sarawak. We must think globally because today’s economy is global. We are also a trading economy.
“Therefore, we need an international language to build networks at the international level,” he said at the Tanjong Lobang College Alumni Association Charity Dinner here on Saturday night (July 11), as reported by TVS.
At the same time, Abang Johari said the Sarawak government’s decision to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) also took into account changes in the global economic landscape, particularly China’s emergence as one of the world’s largest economic powers.
He explained that proficiency in Mandarin would give the Bumiputera community an advantage in building business partnerships and communicating with strategic partners, while facilitating trade, including the export of commodities such as palm oil to China.
“That is why the late former Sarawak chief minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, together with us in the government, decided to recognise the UEC so that the Bumiputera community would become multilingual in today’s open economy.
“Otherwise, we would lose out because we do not possess that knowledge,” he said.
Elaborating further, Abang Johari said education remains the foundation of development, with the Sarawak government continuing to expand access to quality education through its Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES).
In addition, the government provides a RM1,200 living allowance, as well as free books and laptops, to help ease students’ financial burden.
According to him, investing in education is a long-term strategy to eradicate poverty because only through knowledge and higher education can people’s living standards be improved, enabling Sarawak to achieve sustainable development. — DayakDaily
