Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's ruling party Umno today voiced support for the partial introduction of English-language in Malaysian schools.

The party proposed that English literature be introduced to improve Malaysians English language ability to enhance their competitiveness.

Mahathir said the UMNO supreme council which met today also agreed that science and mathematics be taught in English from primary school level. These subjects are now taught in Malay language.

"Following the proposal, the government will introduce the learning of English seriously," he was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

Mahathir said UMNO supreme council viewed that the reintroduction of English medium schools to improve the command of English was not necessary.

Language is a sensitive issue in multiracial Malaysia. English was discarded in the 1970s as remnants of British colonialism.

On Monday Mahathir suggested that English medium schools be reintroduced to enable Malaysians to integrate with the new global economy.

"If the people want it, we will do so. Being democratic, the government has to respond to what the people wanted," he was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper.