SIBU: The Sarawak Government’s stand on using English as a medium of instruction is timely and well-grounded in both legal and historical provisions under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Pointng out this, former Bukit Assek Assemblywoman, Irene Chang Oi Ling, stressed that more importantly, it will help equip Sarawak’s young generation with the linguistic skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
“The criticism that using English as a medium of instruction is unpatriotic is baseless.
“In fact, history has shown that many of our leaders, professionals and nation-builders who were educated through English-medium schools have served Sarawak and Malaysia well with unwavering loyalty and commitment.
“The use of English as a medium of instruction, therefore, does not diminish our patriotism which is measured by one’s dedication to the nation and cannot be achieved nor discouraged by the mediums of instruction in schools,” she stated in a press statement on Friday.
Chang, a lawyer, however, said that elective subjects and schools’ cultural programmes and co-curriculum activities in the Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau and Mandarin languages should also be promoted and encouraged to help preserve the diverse mother tongues and to ensure that English does not dominate at the expense of national and cultural identity.
She said, for this policy to succeed, strong and consistent support systems must be put in place.
“By combining a clear policy direction with concrete support measures, Sarawak has the opportunity to become a model for bilingual education in Malaysia and pursue English as a global tool of progress while making sure Bahasa Malaysia remains a national anchor of identity, and mother tongues such as Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau and Mandarin, stay alive as community heritage.
“The vision is commendable, but it must now be matched with strong implementation, resource allocation, and inclusive strategies that leave no child behind,” Chang added.
