Adenan stands his ground

0

CM undeterred by criticisms against usage of English as state’s official language

Adenan (second from front) carrying a rolled-up mat alongside (from front) Nogeh, Nansian and Naroden to mark goodwill and cooperation.

Adenan (second from front) carrying a rolled-up mat alongside (from front) Nogeh, Nansian and Naroden to mark goodwill and cooperation.

BAU: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem has brushed off those who were critical of his emphasis on the usage of English in Sarawak.

Though numerous Malay groups have criticised Sarawak’s adoption of English as an official language alongside Bahasa Malaysia, the chief minister remained firm in his decision which he first announced at the State Civil Service Day last week.

Not even Social and Cultural Affairs advisor Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim could sway Adenan from his call for English to be emphasised amongst the people of Sarawak despite urging the state government on Monday to reconsider its decision so as to safeguard unity between Peninsular and East Malaysia.

“I’m just being practical, that’s all. You cannot deny English is the international language,” the chief minister told reporters when met after presenting land titles and cheques for land compensation at the Civic Centre here yesterday.

When informed that Rais feared the state government’s move could sow seeds of discord among the people, Adenan was quick to disagree with the former Information, Communications, Arts and Culture Minister.

“I don’t think so. If we don’t go along with that (English), we will be left behind,” he stressed.

Adenan further noted that by placing emphasis on English, he was not saying that the language would replace Bahasa Malaysia as the state would continue to use the national language.

“We can develop both English and Bahasa Malaysia and with that, we will be bilingual or even trilingual. I’m not saying to the exclusion of Bahasa Malaysia. I’m saying (we should emphasise) Bahasa Malaysia and English together.”

Despite differences in their opinion on this issue, Adenan said he respected the views of his critics, stating that “they have their right to the opinions, just as I have the right to my opinions.”

Earlier in his speech, Adenan pointed out that one of the decisions he made since becoming chief minister was to ensure that English become the second main language in the state.

“It will be very practical as everybody wants it. I don’t care what they say in West Malaysia. It is up to them but it suits Sarawak’s condition.

“In our state, we don’t only have the Malays, but we also have the Ibans, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu. In West Malaysia such as in Kedah, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor, most of the people there are Malays,” he said.

Meanwhile, in commenting on the same issue, Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing said having a dual language system would not cause disintegration between Peninsular and East Malaysia.

“Instead, there will be better integration. Sarawakians can still communicate with West Malaysians and communicate with foreigners particularly investors and expatriates who are in the state dealing with state projects such as Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE),” he opined, adding that being bilingual was not a zero-sum game.

“(Tan Sri) Rais Yatim speaks good English. If I remember correctly, he did his PhD in a UK university and so did his paper in English. So he is bilingual. That does not reduce his ability to ‘integrate’ with fellow Malaysians (East and West).”

Masing also pointed out that Peninsular Malaysia had just recognised ‘Dayak’ as a race after 50 years of independence.

“He (Rais) has never mentioned anything about according ‘Dayak’ as a racial group during his stint as National Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister.

“Back then, he treated Dayaks as ‘patung’ (doll) and ‘models’ for his cultural photography to be placed onto billboards and television commercials. That was never good for integration!” he exclaimed.

Masing proposed that Rais look into ‘integrating’ the split of society in the Peninsula first.

“Races within West Malaysia are fragmented and do not integrate amongst themselves. In Sarawak, we might know we are of different races, but we eat together, share our resources, respect each other and shake hands with one another regardless of religion or whether we are bilingual.

“Therefore, the adoption of dual language will not reduce Sarawakians’ affection for our fellow Malaysians in West Malaysia, neither will it reduce our spirit of nationalism. Sarawak is beyond all that and Sarawakians are ready to be bilingual or even trilingual so they can learn more, progress even more and contribute to improve our economy. This is because we love Malaysia and we are patriotic,” he elaborated.

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Anthony Nogeh Gumbek, Assistant Minister of Community Services Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, Assistant Minister of Resource Planning Datuk Naroden Majais and Opar assemblyman Ranum Mina as well as permanent secretary to the Resource Planning and Environment Ministry Datu Sudarsono Osman and State Land and Survey director Datu Sajeli Kipli attended the ceremony.

Meanwhile, Adenan reiterated to the media after a meeting with the Kenyalang Journalism Awards 2015 committee members at his office here yesterday that he was not proposing English as an official language of Sarawak.

“We must use English together with Bahasa Malaysia so that we can have an advantage because it (English) is an international language. So that’s the point, both English and Bahasa Malaysia. It’s not English at the expense of Bahasa Malaysia. It is together,” he stressed.

The chief minister believed that some quarters who had questioned his statement could have missed the point.

“Our main intention it to ensure that our graduates will have better marketability by being bilingual,” he pointed out.