Crucial for young ones to master languages: Halimey

PETALING JAYA: Efforts should be made to improve language proficiency as it is crucial especially for the younger generation, Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for Seri Setia, Halimey Abu Bakar, said yesterday.

In calling for a better education programme to benefit the younger generation, Halimey said there should be improved facilities for them to master more than one language.

“Language proficiency is important for the millennials, especially English,” he said at the PH Seri Setia by-election operations centre yesterday. “We can plan and improve on existing activities that would improve the mastery of the language.

“Not just English, but also languages such as Mandarin, Tamil and other languages of the world such as Japanese and Korean should be emphasised. There are lots of benefits to individuals who know these languages.”

Halimey said while there are many infrastructure and amenities such as kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, many of them needed to be improved and upgraded.

On PAS’s claim that the Opposition needs a stronger presence in the Selangor legislative to play an effective role for checks and balances, Halimey said he would continue to ensure that the grouses of the people would be heard and acted on.

“In Selangor there are only five Opposition members. That is too small a voice to make a difference in the state assembly. Even if they win this one, it is still too small a number,” he said.

PAS candidate Halimah Ali however, disgareed with Halimey’s opinion.