KUALA LUMPUR – The government’s enthusiasm in using Bahasa Malaysia in the international arena could come with consequences that risk making Malaysia an outcast.
Former international trade and industry minister (Miti) Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz did not mince her words when commenting on suggestions to penalise civil servants for not using Bahasa Malaysia even at Asean and international events.
“If this mindset of being inward-looking continues to persist, with even penalties imposed for not communicating with the rest of the world in Bahasa Malaysia, then we will be the bureaucratic pariahs in Asean,” Rafidah said in a Whatsapp message today.
Rafidah said some messages can be lost in translation especially in substance and technical matters.
She was referring to Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Zuki Ali’s call on the Public Services Department to consider corrective and punitive measures to enforce the use of Bahasa Malaysia in the civil service and other government-related agencies including government-linked companies.
That is crazy. We should be raising our levels of proficiency in English and other relevant languages.
“I sympathise with Miti officers and others who have to deal with the Foreign Community,” said Rafidah who was Miti minister from 1987 to 2008.
She said during her tenure she insisted that all communication at international level be conducted in English.
“We operated in an environment of excellence.
“WE even created our own Miti song ‘DEMI KECEMERLANGAN’ (‘For Excellence’) and that was our clients’ charter.
“It is in the cabinet minutes. I asked for all communication in English. This is for efficiency and efficacy in our delivery of our services to our stakeholders,” she said, adding that English was a key driver in pulling quality investment to Malaysia.
“Malaysia was indeed the preferred investment and business destination where communication was facilitated and effective.
“Every year the private sector honoured Miti with its annual enterprise award,” Rafidah said.
“Already now foreigners are complaining about this backsliding in policies and focus,” she added.
The 79-year-old former Wanita Umno chief, who at one time was even a shortlisted prime minister candidate said it was untenable and a disservice to the nation, especially the young to not aggressively equip them with what it takes to master new knowledge, ICT, diplomacy, and to be enabled to have the language and communication skills to effectively address the rest of the world.
We should be progressing and moving forward, not regressing, sliding backwards and downwards. We must focus on substance not on mere form,” she said.
Her comments follow a statement from G25, which said while the group supports the role and importance of Bahasa Malaysia in creating a united nation, there must also be recognition of the importance of English as the universal language of the international community.
“Malaysia will have a lot to lose if there are punitive measures on those who use English in their official work in government departments because there are many areas in which civil servants may have to communicate and express themselves in English to get a common understanding on the problems and issues they face.
“For example, in discussing the Covid-19 virus, Health Ministry officers can analyse a health crisis better by using English because that is the language of the World Health Organisation,” it said in a statement yesterday.
“Similarly, in analysing economic issues facing the country, our officers in the central planning agencies can understand each other better if they use English because that’s the language of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and economic research institutes, including those in Malaysia,” G25 said. – The Vibes, May 28, 2022
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