BM already compulsory for foreign students - Teo reminds PM

 

A former deputy education minister today called out Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's announcement about making Bahasa Malaysia a compulsory subject for foreign students as a political stunt.

Teo Nie Ching, who is DAP Kulai MP, said such an order has already been in place since 2014 and is nothing new to the education sector.

"The reason given was that this move is to uphold the status of Bahasa Malaysia as what has been stipulated in Article 152 of the Federal Constitution.

"However, this plan has puzzled many and was not very clear, because international students already have to take the compulsory subject 'Bahasa Melayu Komunikasi', which is under the General Studies syllabus," she said in a statement.

Earlier this month, Ismail Sabri in his speech at the Umno General Assembly stated that all foreign students in the country will be compelled to learn Bahasa Malaysia.

Already in the syllabus

Teo claimed that the premier's announcement had left many academician and international students puzzled, as the government is demanding them learn something which is already included in their syllabus.

She cited an academician from a local university, Zaharom Naim, who regarded the plan as being political as it was announced during an Umno assembly.

"It seems like the prime minister did not do his homework or checked with the Higher Education Minister Noraini Ahmad so that he can differentiate between fact and fiction before making such an announcement," said Teo, who served as deputy minister when Pakatan Harapan was in power.

Teo also called Ismail Sabri to give further clarification on his announcement. This includes whether he meant to make it compulsory for the foreign students to pass the subject, or if there is the need to review the syllabus. - Mkini