Most Read
Most Commented
Read more like this
story images
story images
mk-logo
News
Perlis mufti: A just leader more important than English proficiency
Published:  Sep 28, 2016 12:01 PM
Updated: 6:00 AM

Public discourse should be focused on calling for just leaders, instead of a leader's proficiency in the English language, Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin says.

While English is important on the international stage, Asri said, the base requirement for a good leader is that the person must be just.

"This country needs a just leader, far more than it does someone who is proficient (in English).

"There are benefits to being proficient, but being just is the basic requirement of a leader. Let's focus our discourse on core issues and not side matters," Asri said in a Facebook post today.

He said this after Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Zahid Hamidi copped ridicule for his relatively less proficient English when delivering his maiden speech at the United National General Assembly last week.

Asri said the third Islamic caliph, Uthman Affan, too, did not deliver his speech well when he was appointed, because he was, by nature, a shy person.

However, Uthman delivered a line which historians continue to recall, that is to say that it is more important for a leader to be just than to be a good orator.

Asri added that it is far more important for a Malaysian leader to be proficient in the national language.

He said it is "embarrassing" to note that the Singapore prime minister can speak Bahasa Melayu more fluently than some Malaysian politicians.

"This is our language. Sadly, many Malaysian politicians are not proficient in Bahasa Melayu, but ironically, not many are raining them with ridicule," Asri said.

Opted for a more difficult option

Yesterday, Bersatu pro-tem committee member Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman spoke against condemning Zahid for his halting UN General Assembly speech, but recommended that he take English lessons.

PAS vice-president Iskandar Samad also questioned why Zahid did not choose to address the UN General Assembly in the Malay language, since the UN can provide simultaneous translation.

Zahid was, however, defended by The Star group CEO Wong Chun Wai, who said the DPM opted for a more difficult option given that unlike other politicians, he did not have the privilege of attending mission schools, which emphasised English proficiency.

"He could easily have used Bahasa Melayu, played the nationalistic card and claim that he was the first Malaysian leader to use the national language at the UN.

"He could even have quoted Quranic verses to push his religious credentials. After all, such messages were meant for the Malaysian audience.

"But he chose English - the more difficult option. He has been ridiculed but he shouldn’t give up. Practice makes perfect and from now, he should try to deliver as many speeches as possible in English," Wong wrote in his column today.

ADS