Must foreign students pass Malay Language paper, say academics

Must foreign students sit for a Malay-language paper each semester and is a pass required, ask academics.

PETALING JAYA: An academic has questioned Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s proposal to make the Malay language a compulsory subject for foreign university students, saying it sounded like an “ad hoc” and “politically-inspired” announcement.

University of Nottingham Malaysia’s Zaharom Nain described Ismail’s proposal, which was announced in Umno’s annual general meeting, as lacking clarity.

Foreign students in Malaysia are already required to take communicational Malay as a subject. However, according to Elajsolan VM Mohan from the National Association of Private Educational Institutions, a pass in the subject is not required for foreign students to progress in their studies.

“This policy announcement sounds very much like an ad hoc, politically-inspired announcement about something that has already been put in place for quite a number of years,” said Zaharom, who is also the chairman of the Gerak academic group.

Zaharom Nain.

Zaharom said while there was nothing wrong with Ismail’s desire to popularise Malay, he had reservations as to whether the plan was “well thought out” prior to being announced.

He said more details were needed and that the authorities should clarify if foreign students would have to sit for a BM paper each semester or would it just be a one-semester or even one-year module.

“Would they just have to sit for the paper or will they have to pass the paper in order to progress or graduate?”

Teo Kok Seong.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia academic Teo Kok Seong also requested more clarity on whether a pass in the subject is mandatory or not; he said his understanding was that a pass is not mandatory.

He said Ismail should be given the benefit of the doubt even though his announcement could be politically motivated.

“I think that there is authenticity behind the policy announcement since he has previously made statements on the importance of strengthening the usage of BM in the country. In February, he announced that BM will be used in every official function, including international ones as well.”- FMT