Borneoans puzzled over incessant push for BM uplifting yet Malay elites school their kids in English

 

LINGUA franca and the attendant issue surrounding vernacular education have been weaponised to suit certain agendas.

This was the pointed observation on Borneo Rights Action Force-BORAF Facebook site which posed a pertinent question – why despite the incessant push by peninsular rightists for Bahasa Malaysia (BM) supremacy, the elite class has failed to lead by example?

It remarked:

“Malay is not God’s chosen language nor is it the most important language in the world.

Strangely, the most powerful people who is forcing the rakyat to “compulsory use Malay” do not even send their children to Malay medium schools.

The children of the Agong, the children of ministers and the political elite are all sent to study abroad in English.

If it is true that the Malay language is a “sign of loyalty”, why didn’t the leader’s own family lead by example?

This is the reality of the country: Language is only used as a political weapon to suppress ordinary folks while the elite class enjoys the best education in the world which unfortunately is not in BM.

Strange, right?

The harsh yet sensible reaction by the Sabah-based NGO is in light of the bombshell announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that it is mandatory for all local students – regardless of stream or syllabi – to sit for SPM Bahasa Malaysia and History.

This followed the declaration by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia that “if you can’t accept BM, don’t live in Malaysia” during his royal address to open the new parliamentary session.

Editor’s Note: Sabah and Sarawak are not fully exempted from the national language policy but they hold special constitutional rights allowing the continued, official use of English alongside BM.

Under Article 161 of the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), these states can use English for state administration, in the legislative assembly and in native courts.

The post has generated 5.6K likes, 2.6K comments and 639 shares, denoting the issue was indeed trending with the platform providing a unique Sabahan and Sarawakian perspective on the touchy subject.

One commenter agreed vehemently, pointing that the issue was being used to pull the wool over the eyes of the masses.

The consequence was a breed of foolish citizens who will continue supporting these leaders, who in turn continue to suppress them.

There were strong voices opposed to the forced imposition of Peninsular culture, values and yes, language. It was time to forge our own path was the impassioned cry from some secessionist-minded commenters.

One netizen could not hide his disappointment at the change from English to Malay as the medium of instruction in 1982.

He believes this has led to students who lack the necessary linguistic skills to thrive in multi-national conglomerates. He further opined that there shouldn’t be so much focus on BM as many would pick it up automatically as it is the national language.

Quite a few also took umbrage on the insistence on calling the national language “Bahasa Melayu” instead of “Bahasa Malaysia” which would have fostered a greater sense of inclusivity.

Taking a more considered tone, a couple of commenters highlighted the importance of mastering several languages – BM, Mandarin and English, in particular. One even claimed that those who complain the SPM BM paper is tough was just making a “lazy excuse”.

As can be seen from the comments, not all Borneoans are enamoured by the growing imposition of BM in their daily lives.

Such thinking becomes more pronounced when – as the post points out – the elite classes making a big deal out of the issue but don’t subscribe to the idea themselves. –  Focus Malaysia