IPOH, Oct 6 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim criticised certain elite groups for their obsession with the English language, which has led them to underestimate the importance of Bahasa Melayu, the country’s national language.
He said the belief that success and intelligence can only be achieved through mastery of English is misguided.
“I do not advocate reducing the importance of English, but I also reject any phobia towards our own language.
“I want to remind those overly fixated on the English language that while they may have grown up in London, they live in Malaysia and must represent the hopes and aspirations of the Malaysian people as a whole,” he said during the launch of National Language Month 2024 at the Ipoh Convention Centre here today.
Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka director-general Dr. Hazami Jahari.
MORE TO COME
