KUCHING: The marked deterioration in the standard of English among Malaysians is due to overzealous politicians who change education policies to suit their personal agenda.
In a no holds barred interview with The Borneo Post yesterday, Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom said the situation has gone from bad to worse until policy makers now do not know where to begin to revive the level of English in schools.
“English was butchered because some people want to realise their personal agenda in their political adventure. The situation is so bad now that we have come to a point where we do not know where to begin in reviving usage of English,” he said.
Mawan who is also a state senior minister cited former deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as among a few politicians who traded the standard of English for rhetoric of patriotism so that he could impress fellow party members and rise up to be deputy prime minister.
On the possibility of others trying to follow Anwar’s footsteps, Mawan stressed: “Don’t butcher English simply because you are trying to be a hero.
“Just recognise it (English) for once and have a policy of dual languages,” the Saratok MP and Pakan assemblyman said.
On a more positive note, Mawan said it is possible to embrace English in daily life without compromising the national language Bahasa Malaysia.
Citing himself as a person who can speak and write the two languages well, Mawan said: “English is or should have been the tool for our advancement, progress, development and knowledge acquisition while Bahasa Malaysia, tool of our identity, unity and patriotism.”
Bahasa Malaysia unites Malaysians of various races, cultures and religions, he pointed out.
“There is no doubt about it. Bahasa Malaysia and its variants bind us together. If an Iban is lost in the Sarawak jungle and met a Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit, Bidayuh or Malay, I am pretty sure he will communicate with anyone of them in Bahasa Malaysia or at least Bahasa Sarawak.
“But for economic development, progress, advancement and knowledge acquisition, English is useful. English in the past and present has contributed to nation building, giving us international recognition and prepared us well for advancement and development,” he argued.
Mawan said he has no qualms about all school subjects, (except for the various languages) being taught and learnt in English because that had been conducted successfully in yesteryears without compromising patriotism.
On the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English, Mawan said this will only create confusion among many students.
“Why is it for Mathematics and Science only? Why can’t we also learn and teach other subjects in English?” he asked.
“We may be able to go without it (English) but it would be nice if we use it in full limb to quicken advancement and economic development,” said Mawan who is also Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak president.
The deterioration of standard of English was highlighted by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem several times.
Concerned about the issue, he called upon Sarawakians to master the language without worrying about being accused
of betraying the national language for the sake of advancement and progress.
To defend his timely call, Adenan said he was only being practical and there was nothing wrong with Sarawakians being bilingual to be more competitive and better in this era of globalisation.