Children of Sarawak are children of Malaysia

This writer sets the record straight on why she called those who did not take pride in the national language “ignorant buffoons.”

COMMENT

Human Rights advocate, Peter John Jaban while commending his fellow Sarawakians for standing up for their Constitutional rights to speak in their chosen language, referred to my article dated November 22 entitled “Learn our national language, you ignorant buffoons.”

In his own words, Jaban said: “Is the writer extending this to the Orang Asal of Sarawak who speak their own mother tongue out of preference but have still gone to the trouble to learn her language? Many Orang Laut choose to speak Bahasa Sarawak among friends but use Bahasa Melayu at work. The writer has shown her great ignorance, shared by many in the peninsula.”

Let me set the record straight.

I am an Indian Muslim. As such, my native language is Tamil, not Bahasa Melayu as implied by Jaban. Like him, I too am proud of my mother tongue. It is the language I first learned to speak and it is still one of the languages I use at home.

My first language is English. It is the language I use to converse daily with my children, my siblings and my friends. As a matter of fact, I think in English, I count in English, I write in English and I even dream in English.

However, as a Malaysian, I believe our national language deserves to be respected. It may not be our native language and it may not be our first language but it is our national identity. Everyone born in this land, every citizen of this country must be able to communicate in the national language. That is my stand.

Now what is ignorant about that, Jaban?

Upholding our national language doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice our native language or ignore the importance of English.

Jaban is correct to say that Chief Minister Adenan Satem, Senior Minister James Masing and Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen, have every right to converse in any language they choose. And yes, no matter what language they speak, they are the Children of Sarawak. But let us not forget that every Child of Sarawak is also a Child of Malaysia.

I never implied that we should not be proud of our native language. I never implied that the English language should be dropped to make way for Bahasa Malaysia. It is not about picking our language of preference. It is about respecting our national identity. If we take pride in our country, shouldn’t we also take pride in our national language?

For the record, I agree with Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem’s decision in making English and Bahasa Malaysia the official languages of the state administration. In fact, I believe Putrajaya should also adopt a similar move and so should the Ministry of Education. I believe both languages play a vital role in the development of our country and nation.

Having said that, I do have to point out how amazed I am at those who champion the Malaysian agenda yet make a big fuss over the use of the national language. We grind our teeth when called pendatang, we feel angered when asked to leave our homeland, we vow love and devotion to this country – yet it aches for some to adopt Bahasa Malaysia into their lives.

For those who took offence at my name calling, please remember that I only called those who do not take pride in the national language ignorant buffoons – simply because that’s what they are.

But then again, I guess, “siapa makan cili, dialah yang terasa pedasnya.”