Use of English in Sabah, Sarawak schools lawful — Nancy

PETALING JAYA: English can be used as a medium of instruction in national schools in Sabah and Sarawak in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963, said Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, the former minister in-charge of law.

Commenting on a news report that said it was unlawful to use English to teach in national schools, the Batang Sadong MP explained that the National Language Act 1963/1967 (Act 32) which states that Bahasa Malaysia is the official language, has not come into force in East Malaysia.

“However, in order for the aforesaid Act 32 to have the legal effect in Sabah and Sarawak, an enactment/ ordinance has to be passed in the State Legislature,” she told Malay Mail.

“As of today, the Sarawak Government has not passed an Ordinance or Enactment in the Sarawak State Legislature to restrict and terminate the usage of English Language as their official language as stated in the Cobbold Commission Report; IGC (Inter-Governmental Committee) Report and Article 161(3) of the Federal Constitution,’’ she added.

Article 161 of the Federal Constitution deals with the use of English and native languages in Sabah and Sarawak.

Article 161 (3) however says that no such act of Parliament shall come into operation as regards the use of the English language until the act or the relevant provision of it has been approved by enactments of the Legislatures of the States of Sabah and Sarawak.

Nancy added that the position of English in Sabah and Sarawak was also defined in the Cobbold Commissions in 1962 which leads to MA63.

“With regard to official languages, it was agreed and proposed in the Cobbold Commission Report that Malay is the national language and both Malay and English are the official languages without any time limit for the Borneo States.”