AN Opposition MP has criticised the recent announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri that foreign students will be required to learn Bahasa Malaysia when they enrol at universities in Malaysia.
Any important decision of this nature should only be done in consultation with the local institutions of higher learning, said Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng.
“The Higher Education Ministry should carry out proper survey to look at the feasibility of implementing Bahasa Malaysia as a compulsory requirement for international students,” he remarked.
“How many local higher education institutions did the Government talk to before this new requirement was made?”
Last Saturday (March 19), Ismail Sabri said that Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad had agreed that the language subject be made compulsory for all foreign students in the country.
Ismail Sabri, who is an UMNO vice-president, also announced that the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Act would be amended to include enforcement powers, which would allow the agency to take action against those who put up Bahasa Malaysia signs containing errors.
“A new language can only be learned or acquired when there is sufficient interest in the language or when people see the need to use the language especially when they return to their home countries,” Lim remarked.
“Can both Noraini and Ismail Sabri guarantee that making Bahasa Malaysia lessons compulsory for foreign students will not be counterproductive and drive away international students from obtaining their tertiary education in Malaysia?”
“Instead of making it a requirement, the Government should provide special incentives for international students to learn the language while they are here in Malaysia.” – March 25, 2022
