YOURSAY | 'You were in cabinet then. Now the problem, from an anthill, has become an Everest.'

An officer and a whore - ex-minister's English tale

Anonymous_1421406986: With due respect to the honourable former minister Rafidah Aziz, why did she not press her concerns regarding the atrocious quality of English spoken or written by her own officers and other civil servants to then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad?

This should have been corrected decades ago. The anthill has now become an Everest. I am not saying it is too late to do anything but the government must have a strong political will to return to English as the language of instruction in the education system.

Make English a compulsory paper to be passed at Form Five and Six. Yes, the patriots may condemn the move but ask them to sincerely answer on the loss of time engaged in translating English textbooks into BM.

By the time, medical, computer, or engineering books get translated, there is the possibility the contents have become obsolete. Why are we creating "backward" students?

International schools are springing up everywhere preparing students for O and A levels. But did we not sit for these examinations for free in the 60s and 70s, under the GCE and the HSC?

Telestai!: I once attended a luncheon hosted by the Swiss-Malaysian Business Council where this fiery lady spoke. She was really impressive. Still as feisty, this lady is spot-on regarding the decline in English among Malaysians since Dr M's Bahasa Malaysia policy was implemented.

It is sad to see prominent Malays opposing the teaching of English when they themselves benefited from being schooled in English.

Mojo Jojo: Welcome to former premier Abdul Razak's legacy of which you were part, Rafidah. For someone who had helmed one of the most important ministries in the cabinet for umpteenth years, it sure took you long enough to speak up on this issue.

Maybe the syariah chief judge was right on one thing: people who have retired seem to have the most to say, but the cats had got all their tongues when they were in office. I wonder why? Enlighten me, please.

Hamzah Paiman: Wan Ramli Wan Daud of UKM, the so-called scientist, thinks otherwise (about the importance of English). He is against the English programme DLP being introduced in schools. It sends shivers down our spine when the so-called educated (if they were well educated in the first place) choose not to recognise the importance of English. They are doing a disservice to future generations.

Anonymous_1401773638: Who was part of the team that destroyed the English language and many other things such as the rubber industry, the mining industry, the civil service and the judicial service?

There’s no point in pointing to the outcome of an earlier action to which one is a party.

Not Smart: Rafidah, when all these things were happening i.e. the rotting of our education system in the country, you were one of the very senior ministers in the government.

What were you doing then? Now after leaving office, you have so many negative comments. Do you agree that 10 years from now, our current leaders would see their own errors and failures, with constant reminders from the rakyat?

Goldee: It takes these ex-MPs and ministers time to realise the importance of English. It was during their time that they were against the teaching of English and replaced with it with the national language just for political mileage.

The standard of English in the country has been destroyed by the same people who had championed the national language. They did not oppose this then because they were MPs and only interested in protecting their positions.

HaveAGreatDay: We can see politicians like Nurul Izzah Anwar jumping onto the bandwagon of nationalism to oppose even the DLP initiative by the Education Ministry. Umno will follow suit as it wants the support of the rural hinterlands. The standard of English in our country will continue to decline.

Doc: India has hundreds of major and minor languages but since its independence from the British in 1947, it has maintained English as its main language in education and commerce.

Today, India has the most rapidly expanding economy in the world and has just surpassed China in having the highest growth rate. This success is partly due to English. Many Western countries and companies want to do business in India or with Indians due to ease in communication.

As for the Malaysians who do not want to learn English, let them accept their "katak bawah tempurung" (frog under a coconut shell) fate.

Anon1: 1,000 would-be doctors had dropped out because of poor English? Which official at the ministry approved these students' enrolment to study medicine and waste taxpayers' monies?

Introduce a new course that doesn't place any importance on English then - either dukun istry or bomoh logy.

Artchan: Once a waiter asked me, "Wan dring what?" I thought it sounded like, “Wondering what?” So I asked him, “ Kenapa ? Apa ?” to which he then he said, " Mahu minum apa ? (What do you want to drink?)".

Anonymous #70881335: Many a time I hear interviews on radio and television where even so-called senior members of corporate Malaysia speak atrocious English. Maybe as a start, these upper crust Malaysians can brush up their English first. You do not have to speak the Queen's English, but at least be grammatically correct.

Vijay47: Anonymous #70881335, please be a bit cautious when you use terms like "Queen's English". The last time somebody said "Royalty, my foot", the inspector-general of police wanted to charge him with sedition against the sultans.

Fair Play: The truth is Bahasa Melayu (BM) is a very simple language to learn and master. Those who are good in the English language without a background knowledge in BM, can master it in six months or less. I am a lifelong speaker of the English language. Still, I do make occasional mistakes as evidenced in my comments.

Goes to show how difficult it is to master the English language and stay proficient even with constant usage. It will take us at least two generations to return to where we were some 30 years ago.

Legit: This country has been damaged beyond repair since the days of Mahathir. English language proficiency is only one of the many casualties. But the corrupt at the top want to persist and take this country to destruction.

The only way to redeem things is a total revolution. But to quote Parti Amanah Negara chief Mat Sabu, Malaysians are cowards and lazy. Nothing will happen except the continuous rot.

Anonymous #70881335: English is the international language, used by everyone in the world. Much has been said and written, and yet the government is not seen to be doing much about it.

What does it take for them to wake up? Until we are mentioned in the same breath as Zimbabwe and Bangladesh? That may be too late.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now .

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.