Why should a mediocre language to be used at all levels of education from primary to institutions of higher learning?
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Education Dialogue has proposed that Malay language be made the medium of instruction at all levels of education from primary to institutions of higher learning.
Director-general of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Awang Sariyan (photo) said the proposal was made because national education emphasised the use of Malay language for unity.
“It is enshrined in the Constitution via the National Education Policy and National Language Policy and is an extension to the policy formulated by the Razak Report Committee in 1956,” he told reporters after conclusion of the dialogue held at Menara DBP here today.
Also present was the head of Federation of National Writers Associations (Gapena) Prof Abdul Latiff Abu Bakar.
The dialogue attended by some 100 participants from 30 language-based NGOs also discussed the draft memorandum on the future direction of national education.
The resolution will be included in the memorandum to improve the education system to be submitted to Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on June 28.
Awang said Article 17 (1) of Education Act 1996 provides for the national language as the main medium of instruction in all educational institutions in the national education system except national-type schools or those exempted.
The dialogue also felt that the National Education Philosophy 1987 should be reaffirmed to produce better students in terms of knowledge, morals and language.
Bernama
20-Point Agreement
ReplyDeletePoint 2. Language
c.English should be an official language of North Borneo for all purposes, State or Federal, without limitation of time
What happened? How did we let it slip?
Agreed that English should be the official language of Sabah as stated in the 20 points agreement.
DeleteWe want English! Enough with the PPSMI issue.
DeleteAs we all know English is very important, if you want to spread your influence to world wide. Without English you won't be able communicate in international Level.
DeleteMALAYA WILL CONTINUE TO ABUSE THE 18/20 POINTS AGREEMENTS WITH SARAWAK & SABAH
DeleteThe drive for UMNO Malay supremacy continues to hurt Sabahans and Sarawakians.
Already we are the 2 poorest states in the ILLEGAL Federation of Malaysia!
Now they want to push ahead with their imposition of the language policy even though we have the right to control our local education policies.
Like the brave people of Apin Apin we must all stand up and demand our independence from colonial Malaya!
We must unite and free Sabah from further Malayan colonial rule!
OMG! The Malayans just want to screw us up some more!
Deletewhen we talk about the 20 points today we need to be specific about which particular points we are referring to
DeleteWHOSE LANGUAGE?
DeleteFOR THOSE WHO ID THEMSELVES AS "MALAYSIAN"
1. If all of you accept Malaysia as your country then using Malay is a natural choice for a national language as it is spoken widely in the territories.
But it should not be exclusive and its use should not be mandatory to the exclusion of all other major languages like Chinese, Tamil, or Iban, Kadazan and other Sabah Sarawak languages (which is more diverse than Malaya).
However, if you are from Sabah and Sarawak - the 20/18 Points Agreement apply and English was agreed with the Malayan Government in 1963 that it remained as an official language.
This was part of the safeguards to protect the rights of Sabahans and Sarawakians.
2. FOR THOSE WHO ID THEMSELVES EXCLUSIVELY AS SABAHANS & SARAWAKIANS
If you are Sabah Sarawak die hard nationalists you will not only stick to your guns on the 20/18 Points Agreement to preserve English as an official language but demand independence from Malaya.
Thus this writer being in the second category is in favour of using English, Malay Chinese, Iban, Kadazan and other major languages in Sabah Sarawak as offfical languages.
IN the end English will be the neutral language and we will mostly use this anyway as we are still doing.
To be fair when we gain our independence we should hold a referendum on this issue plus many other national issues.
Sign the Petitions & go the next step- for Sabah & Sarawak independence.
Apa pun bahasa Melayu juga kita perlu ambil kira kepentingannya. Jika tidak mesti penguasaan bahasa akan tenggelam tidak lama lagi jika tidak dipandang serius.
Deleteif you don't like it, just teach your children in English.. no need to depend on government to teach you children..
DeleteHow about using English for even better unity?
ReplyDeleteTotally agree! I prefer English event hough my English is not that perfect.
DeleteMe 2.
DeleteU can improve by using the internet to learn & speak English e.g. "Google Translate" has a speech facility for word pronunciation. But may not be grammatically accurate!
I prefer English too..
DeleteMungkin English adalah pilihan yang lebih bijak.
DeleteIts not about what we prefer but what the market needs.
DeleteOh My English....keep on learning, one day i am sure we will be as good as the orang Putih.
ReplyDeletetry to learn english.. owh my english.
Deletepractice makes perfect...
Deletehttp://www.ipetitions.com/petition/independence-for-sabah
ReplyDeletePlease visit, sign, comment and drop the authors/sponsor a line or two. Your correspondence are kept confidential. We also invite the doubters and the BN cyber-troopers.
Ini Kali Lah. For my Father's Dream & The Future of Our Children. To the revolution and a new INDEPENDENCE!
The time is NOW! Children of Borneo have arise for yours and our FREEDOM!!!!!
It's ok, let Peninsula have everything in the Malay language. It will be their lost. As for Sabah, Once we take her back, we will revamp the whole education system to suit the 21st century. Knowledge is power. We will not limit ourselves in just the English language but a whole array of languages. We will enrich ourselves to become a great nation. The potential are in chains just trying to break free.
NV- LOOKS LIKE YOUR PETITION IS CATCHING ON....
DeleteHow do I make contact with you (privately)
In the petition, there is a link to contact the petition sponsor (Top Right Hand Box) We will be happy to hear from you regardless of who you support or what are your ideologies. All correspondence will be kept strictly confidential.
DeleteCurrently the petition is still pretty slow for our liking. With yours and everybody's help, we can speed it up by spreading the words.
Thank You!
ANGRISH,SINGLISH,CHINGLISH,MANGLISH,HINGRISH,
ReplyDeleteAs long as it is Enguish..mate!
DeleteWho is the guy in the picture? I am so sorry, I couldn't help but laugh. He looks like a troll, so unhappy and no wonder, he's just another librarian just like the other Tigabelas chap. Wonder what happened to him. Must be hiding out of fear
ReplyDeleteWhen we take back Sabah, we must make sure all our office bearers are clean cut, and professional not like this troll looking like a goat librarian. No offense to all the other librarians out there.
This fella 'New Vision' must be living in Dreamland.Worst still he not only spite commenters but also people who looks different from him.This fella must either be a fanatic,racist or lunatic thats had gone loose in his excitements to relish a broken dream.
ReplyDeleteI know, 'New Vision' is kind of mean. But I can't help but agreeing with him. I felt angry too at first , seeing the heading coupled with the picture. Until I spotted the word troll. I was rofl. My anger kind of dissipated. Anak Petagas, which one do you reckon, noun or verb?
DeleteI am sorry, I won't do it again. How's that Anak Petagas? However, thank you for commenting that I don't look like a goatee troll. Secondly your respond regarding dreamland, fanaticism, racism or lunacy does not make sense at all. Are you writing for the sake of writing. Enough said. I forgot that I am suppose to ignore you.
DeleteIf you do not know what I mean then you are not qualified to write here.It also means that all you know is to fan the feelings of hatred among Sabahans.Your writings are.'that abject,squalid and shameless avowal,'of what the opposition struggles are all about.You are a faceless coward who tries to incite violence with the people as perhaps to fulfill your missions of terrorizing the thoughts of some naive individuals and enslaving them to suit your agenda.
DeleteKeep it coming Anak Petagas! Your a well spoken individual. Do you stand in front of the mirror and recite your speeches over and over? It's not that I/we don't know what you mean it's just that what you write makes no sense. Just big words! So difficult to ignore you. I did apologize and said I wouldn't do it again. Hope to hear from you again!
DeleteFAN THE FLAMES OF STRUGGLE!
DeleteWhen you are colonized you desire freedom and real independence not the shame independence in Malaysia which Anak Petagas seems to be so enslaved to!
Anak Sabah
English is a universal language so it should made as a medium of instruction.
ReplyDeleteAttended a major business meeting between the Chinese, Japanese, French, Spanish and Malaysian. As a standard everybody communicated in English accept for the Malaysian. They all agreed that the Malaysian should contribute 95% of his earnings into their accounts. They all then signed the agreement and walked out with a the biggest grin. The Malaysian walked out smiling thinking he's just signed the deal of a lifetime.
DeleteThis practical joke was actually played on a co-worker who had a poor command of the English language. Even after all these years, he didn't know what he signed for.
Can't blame the poor guy. Blame the UMNO designed education system and the dishonest fellows who cheated him!
DeleteI think, country education must has standard education system.
DeleteSize matters most of the time but not all the time. I randomly walked into a health fitness store a couple of weeks ago around someplace. I noticed a few treadmills on display. Mostly on offer with varied discounts. I started asking some questions to one person-on-duty (he was hovering) thus my assumption and rightly so. He was towering in height and quite a pose. I guess he could understand English but he couldn't string his answer to me back in English. Someone else had to come into the picture. A smaller version but still not talking to me in English. Of the three of us I guess I was the dwarf. The dwarf refused the 'offer' in the end. I thought the store was quite a display to attract 'different' customers. It caught my eye but the people lost my fancy. I forgot the origins of those products. Labels were in English though. I'm still scouting for one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a joke. Reversing to dark ages? You know why so many sabahan graduates unemployed -- the answer is very simple-- poor command in English. And just last week, the national news reported that the Saudi Arabia beginning this year will ban nurses from Malaysia just because malaysian nurses have very poor command in English.
ReplyDeleteMALAYSIA 1963 - BEGINNING OF OUR DARK AGES
DeleteWe have been in the dark ages for over 48 years since we got pushed into Malaysia!
Our 20 Points Agreement preserves English as an official language. If we don't defend this another of our rights will disappear!
This is another road sign on losing our independence and control of our lives.
Not wrong with BM but I think, it is much better if we do learn more English. BM is our national language but English is International language. It is good if we can major both.
ReplyDeleteagree with you..
DeleteMuch better if we can speak many languages, not only BM and BI.
DeleteEnglish is a must up there together with Mandarin. As for BM, it will depend on the consensus of the people but I don't say "No" to BM. The idea is to grasp as much language and knowledge as possible. The idea is for the education system to be relavent to the needs of today and tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering why all the Malaysian ministers are holding post with which they have no background, qualification or extensive experience on. So again, when and once we gain our independence which isn't to long from now, we the shareholders of this great entity must choose our office bearers with the most stringent of criteria.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ipetitions.com/petition/independence-for-sabah
A similar petition is on going at 'Go Petition' for quite sometime http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sabah-sarawak-rights.html
DeleteThe SSKM (Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia) petition seems to stop short of independence and unclear if they want only autonomy? But their name means "Let's get out of Malaysia!"
Delete.."Let's get out of Malaysia!" which also means independence for Sabah right ?
DeleteIf you are confuse then just sign both petitions as well.
I got the original idea from the "gopetition" where it worked on rights and the agreements. Mine is purely on independence.
DeleteSSKM MEANS WHAT IT SAYS BUT THE MESSAGE IN THE PETITION IS UNCLEAR- ONLY TALKS ABOUT AUTONOMY ISSUES
DeleteMuka..penipu..dan..pembohong..photo..diatas..
ReplyDeleteapa pun, tidak perlulah emosi, uruskan secara profesional.
DeleteThe proposal to make Malay language medium of instruction isn’t a bad idea nevertheless English language is equally important in the international level.
ReplyDeleteWe are in the 21centerty thus it is ideal to learn international languages to ease communication with foreigners in our country.
ReplyDeleteWe need to be rather specific when making references to the 20 points.
ReplyDeleteGood idea though but English is still preferable.
ReplyDeleteThink about the next generation at least let’s be considerate here and be more civilized.
ReplyDeleteWe can use both Malay and English as medium of instruction…anyone agree?
ReplyDeleteAgreed as proposed…mate!
Deletei DO'NT AGREE. lOOK AT SINGAPORE. WHAT OFFICIAL LANGUAGE ARE THEY USING. YES, ENGLISH. HOW THIS LANGUAGE BROUGHT THEM TO IMMENSE DEVELOPMENT FAR SUPERIOR THAN WHAT MALAYSIA ACHIEVED THUS FAR.
DeleteTidak salah untuk mempelajari lebih banyak bahsa, yang untung pun diri sendiri.
DeleteBetul prem, belia harus pintar berbahasa terutama zaman yang bersaingan giat.
Deletekalau pandai lebih dari satu bahasa, itu memang baik.
Deletememang bagus kalau mempelajari banyak bahasa...banyak faedahnya.
DeleteIt is high time we are exposed to what is happening out there in the exterior world.
ReplyDeleteThe counter the argument, we should learn what is good for the present & future. And what is relavent to society in regards to unity, economy, nation building, etc etc..
ReplyDeleteAs of now, the independence petition is going out full swing but not as fast as I would like it to be. I am opening all channels. The internet is still limited. I suggest for all those who have relatives in the rural areas to create your own hard copy signed petition for the folks. I do not want to have any limits. The more the better. For facebook, search for "William H Wallace" or email highlanderofborneo@gmail.com
Though it is important to have a main medium of communication for any society, it is equally important to note how a language can affect one's development. Not to belittle Bahasa Malaysia, it is a beautify language, full of culture & mannerisms embedded in it. Apart from these, it is a language which gives poor development of mind & character. Take for instance, in English & Chinese, for pronouncing one to ten, you need one syllable while in BM, 2 syllables & up to 3 for nine & ten. In BM, you need not have to pay much attention cos there is a chance to catch at least one of the syllable and so like a sentence construction, long winded? Our mind become lazy and not many educationists are aware of this fact. I would prefer my children to be educate in a language which is precise and thus they can be more competitive.
ReplyDeletePART 1:
ReplyDeleteIn the case of Sabah and perhaps Sarawak, English should be the main language. In my humble opinion, followed by Mandarin, Japanese & Korean. Lets face it most of the technologies we use come from these three nations alone. I have gotten alone fine with just English in France, Spain & Germany. I did make an effort to learn a little of each out of respect and for my own good. From this it shows that BM has no place in the system but if we claim to want to have a democracy, then we should let society decide where BM stands. As an eye opener - cantonese, hakka, hokkien, etc are not even taught at school yet these dialects are still fluently round after all these centuries. This I believe has to do with the strength of the community. Any thoughts on the Dusun/Murut language and where they stand?
You can't even write good English yourself therefore you are making yourself a bad example.I think you are a 'jack of all trade' and master of nothing.Stop preaching others because as I see it you yourself have still a lot to learn.
DeleteBN only bank on the idea, they being in the majority. A referendum for the Sabahans can be otherwise, just like most Greeks hated themselves in voting the New Democracy Party which brought them the economic troubles.
ReplyDeleteBahasa Melayu only vali din Malaysia, we are moving towards international, thus, English should be the best languages.
ReplyDeleteNo offend but we need to accept the fact that we use English internationally.
DeleteWe approaching international market, with this, english is a very important languages.
ReplyDeleteThe international market didn't recognise Bahasa Melayu, are we in trouble if Malay language be used for medium? No prejudise but we need to be a bit open minded.
ReplyDeleteThe main problem here is with the umno/bn regime trying to move Malaysia backward by 'championing' to fight for the Malay to be a 'superior' race in a multiracial country. This is the only country in the world that segregate its people in a desperate attempt for umno to remain to hold on power.
ReplyDeleteMost of the children of those top umno/bn leaders are being educated in English medium and study in overseas whereas other citizens who can't afford to study overseas will remain in Malaysia to study in Malay.
By implementing the Malay as a medium of instruction in school is to deprive other citizens the opportunity to learn English and such decision is more political than educational.
Malaysia over the past decades, has produced graduates that can not match with the economy hence a lot remain unemployed partly due to their poor command in English. This is mainly due to the ever changing and out of date educational policy and decision made by those so called 'education expert' to formulate 'one sided' educational policy to please the political master.
To trade or communicate with the outside world, we can not escape English as a main medium of communication. Our children should be given the opportunity to learn English from primary school onwards. Using English as a medium of instruction must be implemented in all schools and not only to certain schools where other citizens can not attend.
I wonder how can Malaysia compete with our neighboring countries if our students can't communicate well in English.
Malaysia has been competing successfully with other countries for the last 55 years.
Delete...and having been losing a lot to countries like Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia and possibly Myanmar too in the near future.
DeleteKerajaan harus jelas yang mana baik untuk rakyat semasa negara kami menghala ke arah lebih globalisasi.
ReplyDeleteBahasa Inggeris adalah kunci menerajui globalisasi. Kita patut tumpukan perhatian pada pembelajaran bahasa ini, tetapi tidak bermaksud kita patut lupakan bahasa ibunda kita.
Deletekerajaan sentiasa jelas mana yang baik untuk rakyat..
Deletesetuju dengan anon di atas...kemahiran berkomunikasi adalah kunci untuk menerajui globalisasi..namun bahasa ibunda kita tidak harus dilupakan..bahasa juga adalah identiti kepada kaum kita..
DeleteBI sebagai bahasa perhubungan antarabangsa jadi kena belajar ni, selain dapat memudahkan komunikasi, ia juga dapat memudahkan ilmu dari bangsa lain untuk dikongsi.
DeleteBahasa Inggeris memang bahasa perantaraan.
ReplyDeleteMakin ramai orang yang belajar Cina, orang puteh pun fasih bahasa cina sekarang.
Deletetahu banyak bahasa adalah satu kelebihan..tidak salah untuk kita mempelajari dan menguasai bahasa lain..
Deletemasing-masing ada pandangan, yang penting sesuatu yang dibuat perlu diteliti dulu.
ReplyDeleteini mungkin menimbulkan pelbagai reaksi..apa pun, pandangan semua pihak harus diambil kira.
ReplyDeleteHope the Ministry of Education will make the right decision for the country's education system.
ReplyDeletetidak payah la ba sibuk2 pasal bahasa.. yang penting ibubapa tidak dihalang oleh kerajaan untuk mengajar anak masing2 menggunakan bahasa asing.. tidak boleh guna di sekolah, guna saja la di rumah..
ReplyDeleteDeputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has called for a new wave in the usage of Bahasa Melayu.
ReplyDeleteHe said the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), the only body tasked with implementing the National Language Policy, should become the trustee or custodian of the Malay knowledge and literature treasures in the country.
ReplyDeleteThe DBP should also serve as a one-stop reference centre for researchers on the Malay knowledge and literature within and outside the country, said Muhyiddin, who is also the education minister.
ReplyDeleteThe DBP should step up strategic alliance and synergy with research centres and universities at home and abroad. The Malay language and literature research and development should be intensified.
ReplyDeleteDuring the launching the DBP Strategic Action Plan 2011-2015, Muhyddin said that the setting up of the proposed Malaysian Malay Literature Centre at the DBP old building could be the initial step to launch this effort.
ReplyDeleteMuhyiddin said that the position and role of Bahasa Melayu should not be restricted to the national level but must go regional and international, and it should be recognised as an important language of the world.
DBP should harness the existing infrastructure and mechanism pertaining to relations and cooperation with other countries, such as the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia Language Council (MABBIM), the Southeast Asia Literary Council (Mastera) and the Malay Language International Council (MABM), in the effort to raise Bahasa Melayu as a world language.
He said the launch of the DBP five-year strategic plan could be a platform to elevate the Malay language and literature to become a core identity of the people in the march towards a developed country by 2020.
The plan contained a new high-impact initiative, namely, the Language Audit programme which was not aimed at finding fault with others, instead helping the government to enhance the use and command of the national language among civil servants.
ReplyDeleteThe Language Audit, which is set to start next year, will initially focus on six sectors under National Language Implementation Committee chaired by him, namely the public service, public places, broadcasting and communication, finance and banking, trade, and education.
ReplyDeleteHe said the Language Audit in other sectors would be implemented in the second phase of the programme.
ReplyDeleteMuhyiddin said the Housing and Local Government Ministry would implement the Language Audit on billboards, and create a star-rating scheme among local authorities.
ReplyDeleteThe Public Service Department has taken a proactive measure by offering several of its divisions to be audited.
The Higher Education Ministry has also set a target of widening the use of Bahasa Melayu at institutions of higher learning while the Finance Ministry had ordered banks and insurance companies to use the national language.
The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Affairs Ministry has conducted seminars for businessmen and entrepreneurs. On that note, Muhyddin is confident that if such efforts are implemented consistently and comprehensively involving all government ministries and agencies and the private sector, Bahasa Melayu will not be marginalised in its homeland.
ReplyDeleteThe information here is great. I will invite my friends here.
ReplyDeletemalay