Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today urged Malaysians to master the English language as it is vital for success in a globalised world.

The premier said as a country, Malaysia stood a better chance in succeeding and safeguarding its interest if its people were well-versed in the language.

Citing an example, the premier said in order to be active and effective in negotiations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), preparations on the subject matter alone was not sufficient.

"We must be competent and proficient in English. You must be able to put forward your ideas," he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

He said a good idea would not be beneficial if one could not present it well and added that a person who was eloquent could persuade others to agree even if his ideas were not good.

Abdullah, who is also finance minister, said this at a pre-Budget 2005 dialogue at the finance ministry in Putrajaya.

His predecessor, Dr Mahathir Mohamad had also emphasised on the need to master the English language, paving the way for a controversial education policy that required Science and Maths to be taught in English.

The policy, which was implemented last year, evoked strong objections and criticism from vernacular educationists.

One of its leading opponents was the Chinese education movement Dong Jiao Zong, whose leaders Mahathir later branded as 'extremists' and warned them 'not to play with fire'.

Following this, then deputy home minister Zainal Abidin Zin said the Internal Security Act (ISA) could be invoked against the policy's detractors.

Foreign colleges

In another development, Abdullah said the government's move not to close the door on foreign colleges wanting to establish themselves in this country had provided opportunities for young people, both local and foreign, to pursue their studies in Malaysia.

He said besides studying in this country, foreign students also had the opportunity to better understand the way of life of the local community.

The premier revealed that as of 2003, some 40,000 foreign students from 162 countries had studied in Malaysia.

"From the economic standpoint, the presence of these students is good because of their large numbers. Visits by their family members can also be regarded as "education tourism", he said.