CONGRATULATIONS: (Standing from fifth left) Wan Hamid, Abang Patdeli, Fatimah and Sim (standing sixth right) taking a photograph with the winners of the rhythmic language competition.
SIBU: Minister in the Chief Minister Department Datuk Fatimah Abdullah called on parents and students to lift Malaysia to a higher level globally through mastering the Malay and English language.
Speaking at the state level 2011 Rhythmic Language Competition at Kingwood Hotel yesterday, she said this was important because the Malay language was the national language whereas English is an international communication language.
“Bahasa Malaysia unites us; it is our identity as Malaysians while English is the global language of communication, science and technology and politics.
“If our future generations are weak in English, without a doubt they will fail to highlight the nation’s aspiration and ambition at the global level,” she pointed out.
Fatimah also noted that this was in line with the government’s implementation of ‘Upholding the Malay Language and Strengthening the Use of the English Language (MBMMBI) policy for the year one pupils next year.
This policy aimed at creating a generation of Malaysians that could converse in both languages proficiently.
She pointed out that this was important especially in increasing the nation’s competitiveness at the global level in the future.
She also said Malaysians should always feel proud in conversing in the national language.
“All independent countries have their own languages to identify themselves as a nation, just like Japan has the Japanese language, Korea has the Korean language, and Malaysia has the Malay language,” she said.
Also present at the function were Temenggong Datuk Wan Hamid Edruce, Sibu Resident Sim Kok Kee and acting director of Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka Sarawak Abang Patdeli Abang Muhi.