By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 28: Sarawak rights activist Peter John Jaban has hit out at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) associate professor Azizah Zain, calling her claim that teaching English too early could hinder children’s development of thinking skills in Malay “arrogance and intellectual poverty at its worst.”
In a strongly worded statement yesterday (Sept 27), Peter John said Azizah’s view reflected an outdated mentality that has long crippled Malaysia’s education system and underscored why Sarawak must take full control of its education under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“Azizah’s mentality belongs in the 1970s. Back then, Malaysia believed that shutting the doors to English would strengthen our identity.
“Instead, it crippled generations and left us behind in science, technology and global competitiveness,” he said.
Peter John pointed out that Sarawak experienced this setback firsthand when the English-medium system was abolished in 1976, leaving indigenous children most affected as they were cut off from opportunities in higher education, science and the wider world, while privileged children of the elite surged ahead.
He further argued that Azizah’s suggestion is “not just wrong but also dangerous,” especially when much of the world is advancing through bilingual education.
“And here lies the hypocrisy: the elite already give their children early English through private schools, international schools and tutors. Azizah’s advice only deepens inequality. The poor, rural and indigenous children will pay the price,” he stressed.
Peter John also said that modern research supports early bilingualism, which makes children smarter, more adaptable and better problem solvers.
“Denying them English is not protection, it is robbery,” he remarked.
He emphasised that Sarawak has already made progress through the Dual Language Programme (DLP) by teaching Science and Mathematics in English.
“We are teaching Science and Mathematics in English because we know this is the language of STEM, of global journals, of the internet. That is the future. That is autonomy in action,” he added.
Peter John reiterated that Sarawak will continue to safeguard Bahasa Melayu while preserving indigenous languages, but insisted that the state will not allow “one associate professor, trapped in a failed 1970s mindset” to dictate the destiny of Sarawak’s children.
“To Putrajaya and academics in the peninsula—Sarawak’s education autonomy is not up for debate. It is our right under MA63, and it is the key to our children’s future. If you cannot help us move forward, then step aside and stop holding us back,” he concluded.
In a report by Free Malaysia Today on Sept 25, Azizah was quoted as saying that introducing English too early in schools could hinder children from fully developing their thinking skills in Malay. She suggested that the national language must first serve as the foundation of learning before English is introduced. – DayakDaily
