S'wak opposition backs CM on English
Published on: Thursday, November 26, 2015
Kuching: In showing Sarawakian solidarity, PKR is fully behind the decision of Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem to make English as a second language in the state.State PKR chairman Baru Bian said Sarawak had the right to use English as its official language as it is one of the points stated in the Malaysian agreement drawn up 52 years ago."The agreement states that we should review on the use of the language in the state after 10 years of forming the federation, to which the state never chose to drop the language from official use.
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"So it is clearly our right and those in the peninsula have no right to criticise us on this matter," said Baru in a press conference here.On Tuesday, Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia President Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir said Bahasa Malaysia should remain the official language in the state.He said at the time of Merdeka, leaders of all races firmly decided that Bahasa Malaysia should be the national language and sole official language for the whole country.See Page 2, Col. 1
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Abdul Kadir also supported the call by federal government Social and Cultural Affairs Adviser Tan Sri Rais Yatim urging the state to reconsider its decision to adapt the language, to safeguard national unity, as the move could sow the seeds of discord among the people.Baru responded by saying the both former federal ministers were wrong in blaming the language as the cause for disintegration in the nation.
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It is utter nonsense and an illogical reason for them to say so.What causes disintegration is the failure of the federal BN leaders in taking care of us here in the state.This is why Sarawak needs to regain its autonomy in education as there are many rural schools which are still neglected despite its (federal governments) announcement of a colourful education blueprint.But for this policy, PKR is strongly behind our Chief Minister because as Sarawakians, we support what is best for the state, said Baru.The use of English was clearly noted even before Adenans announcement last week as the State Legislative Assembly still uses English in its proceedings and also accepts Bahasa Malaysia and other ethnic languages, making it the only multi-lingual assembly in the nation.English is also used in court proceedings in the state.On Wednesday, Adenan brushed off criticisms over the use of English in the state stressing the move as being practical and that the language would be used alongside Bahasa Malaysia.Adenan reiterated his stand by saying I dont care about what they say and also said that Sarawak would not neglect the national language as English was no longer an exclusive language of the Anglo Saxons any more but a world language.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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