Najib: Don’t waste time arguing over use of English

KUALA LUMPUR: Stop wasting time politicising the learning of English and embrace the language without fear, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said. He said learning another language would not diminish the Malay race but would make them stronger and that the younger generation must master the English language. “Let us not waste any more time. Stop these pointless polemics. Put an end to the ridiculous politicising of this issue,” he told delegates from the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings Tuesday night.
Najib was referring to the ongoing debate about whether the teaching of Maths and Science in English should continue.

He said the special position of the Malay language would always be upheld no matter what happened but that the language of the people would be of no use if the people themselves perished. “Consider Latin after the collapse of Rome. It is now almost extinct but for ceremonial use in academic institutions and traditional ceremonies.” Sanskrit, the Incan and Aztec languages, he said, had all perished with the extinction of the people who spoke them. “The more important consideration is strengthening the people or the race that speaks the language.” Najib said only a people of great strength and high standing would raise the dignity of their own language, culture and value system. “To do this, we must first master knowledge and wisdom, much of which is today documented in the English language. Therefore, our younger generation must master the English language.”

tunku : this is clear message to the delegates.do not waste time debating on PPSMI. The system is good for our future generation. what is there in the language when the race is so poor and lack of knowledge? stop all the polemics and concentrate on more important agenda in the party.who would care to learn a language of a people who are weak, poor and lacking in knowledge? make sure your race is strong and have all the technologies,then only the language will be so important that others would want to learn it.


Full text of DPM Najib's speech at the joint opening of the Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings