PETALING JAYA – A former MCA vice-president today said the decision to mandate the use of Malay in official letters to government departments required more detailed consideration and discussion with relevant leaders and authorities.
Senator Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said English is the language of the world and the country was desperately trying to attract more foreign investments.
“By announcing that correspondence in English will be rejected, it sets the wrong tone for potential investors.
“Was such an important decision discussed with other leaders, especially from East Malaysia where English is still used and recognised officially?” asked the former MCA vice-president.
Ti also touched on the recent Palestine Solidarity Week announcement by the Education Ministry.
“I am all for the Palestinian cause, but to introduce or involve our students in schools in a complicated international conflict in which many adults are also lost and confused should not be done.
“This conflict is serious and complicated. We have in the past forbidden university students from indulging in politics for fear that they would be distracted. How can the government introduce an activity that will have a tendency to sow hatred in young and impressionable minds?
“Every new minister of education that came in the past tends to politicise our educational system for their own political optics and narratives.
“Malaysians want to see apt and correct decisions made for our students and schools. We should be teaching about peace, tolerance, and harmony among all religions, cultures, and ethnicities instead of drumming up emotional support or propaganda laced with hatred and war,” he said.
He also praised Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul for telling MPs to refrain from using “sensitive” words such as “kafir” (infidel), “Zionist”, and “Yahudi” (Jews) in the august House.
“I had taken up the issue of ‘kafir’ as a lawmaker and a lover of peace and spoke out strongly against the mufti of Pahang when he labelled DAP as ‘kafir harbi’ in 2016, when there was opposition to RUU 355.
“I am repeating my concerns that ‘kafir’, ‘kafir harbi’, ‘kafir dhimmi’, etc, are not part of our legal concept and should not be used in the political or legal context freely and irresponsibly,” he said.
He added that these concepts, if discussed publicly, may confuse and influence the people, leading to more prejudices and even aggression or physical violence along misconceived lines. – The Vibes, October 28, 2023
