“THE rhythm of my body is the same as my mother tongue. It’s in this rhythm where I find sanctity that I can return to my mother who is everywhere in the universe,” declared Korean poet Kim Hyesoon.
The quote above quite beautifully and succinctly captures the essence of knowing one’s mother tongue. However, this ability to learn one’s native language has apparently encountered some speed bumps in multi-lingual Malaysia.
According to PKR’s Central Leadership Council deputy secretary-general Sivamalar Genapathy, those who try to learn and sit for Tamil as a SPM subject have encountered bureaucratic road blocks.
“The issue deserves serious attention from all stakeholders, particularly the Education Ministry, as it concerns the constitutional right of students to access language education and preserve their linguistic heritage,” justified the former PKR women’s wing community chairwoman in a bi-lingual media statement.
Available data paints a worrying picture. In 2014, a total of 13,688 students enrolled in Year One in Tamil primary schools nationwide.
However, when the same cohort reached SPM in 2024, only 7,609 students sat for Tamil Language as an elective subject. This represents a decline of approximately 45%.
Pointing to the various commitments made by the Madani administration to strengthen pupils’ linguistic abilities, the professional lawyer claimed that “reports continue to emerge of unnecessary administrative hurdles”.
Society’s own disinterest
“Malaysians were particularly concerned by last year’s case involving four pupils in Bangi who were initially prevented from registering for the Tamil Language SPM subject before the decision was eventually reversed following public attention and intervention,” claimed Sivamalar.
The statement released on the legal eagle’s Facebook portal which garnered 884 likes, 300 comments and 52 shares at time of writing indeed sparked a lively debate.
Not all believed the downward trend is part of a linguistic conspiracy to sidetrack the Tamil language. Indian pupils, specifically Tamils, are just not interested in picking up their mother tongue or at least sit for it as a SPM elective.
It was also surmised that Indian leaders are quick to point fingers when Tamil pupils are already fluent in the language from primary school onwards, thus making it less appealing to study Tamil as a subject.
Indian snobbery was also cited as a reason for the declining interest with most Tamils preferring to act “high class” by speaking English instead of their mother tongue (unlike their Chinese peers).
Reflecting this sentiment was a comment that asked “who is stopping pupils from studying Tamil?” The subject is available but it appears more Indian pupils are opting to study Chinese instead.
Some East Malaysians were less-than-impressed with the line of argument that pupils were being hindered from studying Tamil. This is given that no schools were dedicated to the promotion of Kadazan, Iban and other ingenious languages even when these communities are Bumiputera.
Their collective numbers would justify having dedicated schools or at least language subjects, it was passionately argued.
More than few sceptical commenters thought this post was just a means to create issues with impending polls on the horizon. “Political theatre” it was called.
This sentiment was shared by a few who opined that issues affecting the Indian community are only brought to the fore during (or near) elections.
Legitimate concern or opportunistic election ploy? Based on the comments, it would appear many are leaning towards the latter.
Again, harping on identity politics and/or fanning of 3R (race, religion and royalty) sentiments are sure signs that polls are nearing.
This statement from a person within PKR’s leadership circle is confirmation of this trend, ie the nation will be facing general elections sooner rather than later. – Focus Malaysia
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