SARAWAK Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, has strongly criticised a Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) academic who argued against teaching English to young children.
Responding to remarks made by Associate Professor Azizah Zain, who suggested children should focus solely on mastering Malay until the age of seven or eight, Dr Annuar said such views would hinder Malaysia’s progress on the global stage.
“We need to follow Singapore – upholding the mother tongue is a must, and mastering English is also compulsory,” he said. “Bear in mind that the main reason we are far behind Singapore is because we switched our medium of instruction to Malay.”
Azizah, a senior lecturer in early childhood education, had warned that early exposure to English risks alienating children from their cultural roots and national identity.
“Malay is not merely a means of communication; it embodies our cultural identity,” she told Harian Metro. “Children who grow up more comfortable in English may lose touch with the values and nuances embedded in the Malay language.”
She argued that Malay must be firmly established before other languages are introduced in early education, cautioning that excessive emphasis on English could lead to a weakening of national identity.
Dr Annuar dismissed this perspective, stating that such fears were misplaced and overlooked broader educational priorities.
“Do not blame English for causing the erosion in the nation’s cultural identity,” he said. “The main root is the upbringing and the massive unchecked influences from outside. By teaching them English, you open up the entire world to them.”
He added that English remains vital not only for access to global knowledge but also for trade and economic competitiveness, and that cultural values can still be upheld through proper parenting and balanced education.
Dr Annuar's remarks reflect ongoing tensions in Malaysia's long-standing language debate, where national identity and global engagement are frequently framed in opposition. He maintains, however, that both objectives can and must be achieved simultaneously. - September 26, 2025
