Learn English to produce Malaysian-made weapons: PM

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Learning Science and Mathematics in English will help Malaysia develop its own weapons to defend Muslim countries in the future, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

According to a Sin Chew Daily report today, Mahathir said the government does not want to use weapons purchased from "enemies of Muslim countries" in championing the cause of these countries.

"Malaysia needs to have weapons such as guns, tanks, fighter jets and warships which could instil fear into our enemies," he told a large gathering in Kelantan yesterday.

Mahathir said people should master English so that they could absorb more effectively the Western technology which is mostly available in that language.

"To translate the knowledge in their books into languages that we understand will be time-consuming.

"It is not a smart way of doing things. That's why we want our people to learn Science and Maths in English," he added.

Despite strong objection from various quarters, the government instructed that the two subjects be taught in English starting this year in Standard One, Form One and Lower Six.

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