KUCHING: Sarawak Malay graduates must master the English language to remain highly competitive and secure employment with global investors expanding their footprints in the state.
Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, emphasised that prioritising English proficiency does not sideline the national language, but serves as a vital tool for the economic advancement of local youths.
“If we compare a Malay student with a non-Malay student, the individual who possesses strong command of the English language will undoubtedly secure employment from incoming investors,” he said in his speech during the Sarawak Malay Graduates Convention 2026 (KGM 2.0) at the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Campus Batu Lintang campus today.
Dr Annuar clarified that advocating for English language mastery should not be misconstrued as marginalising Bahasa Melayu.
Rather, it is a forward-looking strategy focused on what is most practical and beneficial for the future of Sarawak’s children.
Addressing constitutional rights, he reminded the convention that the use of English in the state is legally protected under Article 17 of the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report within the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
According to him, the protection stipulates that the usage of English in Sarawak cannot be interfered with or abolished unless it is the explicit will of the Sarawak people.
Turning to state development, Dr Annuar attributed Sarawak’s current economic milestones to long-standing political stability and social harmony, rejecting the use of divisive racial sentiments.
“We do not want to play with racial sentiments because they easily provoke emotions but fail to yield any sustainable success.
“In Sarawak, we distance ourselves from such rhetoric. Our rising Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and recognised financial management are the direct results of unity,” he said, contrasting Sarawak’s progress with political instability elsewhere.
He added that the state’s robust revenue generation has allowed the government to return wealth to the people, notably through the upcoming implementation of free tertiary education for Sarawakian students.
“We did not just make empty election promises about free education. We are executing it systematically because the government, through the collective effort of its leadership and the people, has successfully grown our state revenue,” Dr Annuar added.
