NATIONAL LANGUAGE

as it’s important for them, as future leaders of Malaysia, to broaden their knowledge by using languages as the key to unlock the facets of our world.

Recently, I visited the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) office to consult one of the customer service officers.

While waiting for my number to be called, I noticed the officers were very calm and courteous as they tried to understand our fellow Malaysians who were speaking to them in broken Malay.

It saddens me that even now, as we celebrate our 60th Merdeka Day and 54th Malaysia Day, we have some Malaysians who don’t have high regard for the national language.

Therefore, I would like to make a few suggestions to the government to motivate all Malaysians to embrace the Malay language as part of their daily lives.

All Malaysians born after the year 2000 must acquire a pass in the Bahasa Melayu subject for Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah if they wish to apply for a Malaysian passport, become a director of a sendirian berhad company (a private limited liability company), become be a director of a company listed in Bursa Malaysia or as a prerequisite to be awarded a Datukship.

All Malaysians must acquire a pass in the Bahasa Melayu subject for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia if they wish to do business with the government and any other companies related to the government.

I truly believe that by giving Malaysians incentives to have high regard for our beloved Malay language, the citizens of this country can speak a common tongue.