The government should be firm in finalising decisions related to policy changes in the education system, including on the issue of languages in schools, said Socio-cultural advisor to the government, Tan Sri Rais Yatim.
He said changes in policy cannot simply be made from time to time as it was feared such action could lead to confusion in the community.
"It is time for the government to act firmly, whether to continue with the old policy or adopt a new policy. We should not be making changes according to the tide.
"On language, it should not be a topsy turvy decision..to me it is simple, the language of education and knowledge ought to be Malay and English.
"The medium of communication is the national language, the commercial languages are Malay and English," he said after launching a book titled "On Bonsai, Banyan and the Tao" authored by former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo at Sin Chew Daily's auditorium here Saturday.
Rais was commenting on calls by two million activists from 34 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the country urging for the postponement or cancellation of the dual-language programme (DLP) which is to be implemented in the school system starting January next year.
Under the programme, schools are given the option to teach Science, Mathematics, Information Technology and Communication, as well as Design and Technology in English or Bahasa Malaysia.
Rais was of the opinion that there should not be a change in policy just because most people were English-speaking.
"Let us not forget Article 152 of our Constitution, we must not forget the role of the Malay Rulers and we cannot simply say that English Language should be given priority without mentioning the national language," he said while welcoming a suspension of the DLP.
On the book, Rais said the book dealt with Malaysia-Singapore relations including the Batu Putih case. The International Court of Justice ruled that the islet claimed by both countries belonged to Singapore.
"I was then (Malaysia's) Foreign Minister and Yeo and I had our specific roles advising our respective governments on various incidents and these events are narrated in this book," he said.
Bernama
Sat Nov 28 2015
Rais was of the opinion that there should not be a change in policy just because most people were English-speaking.
Pesta Kaamatan 2024 dilancar pada 1 Mei di Ranau, Sabah
Sambutan perayaan Pesta Kaamatan 2024 akan dilancarkan pada 1 Mei di Ranau dan diadakan sambutan di peringkat daerah, di Sarawak dan Semenanjung.
Khairulnizam layak ke Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024
Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy sah akan mengiringi Nur Shazrin Mohd Latif ke Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024, juga merupakan penampilan keempat berturut-turut di temasya berprestij itu.
Musibah banjir buka peluang 'rezeki lebih' usahawan F&B melalui IPR
Musibah banjir yang melanda Johor tahun lepas membuka peluang rezeki baharu kepada usahawan makanan dan minuman, Haida Abdul Rahman.
Mohd Azizulhasni tekad dikalungkan pingat emas di Paris
Azizulhasni tekad untuk 'dikalungkan' pingat emas pertama Malaysia di Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 pada penampilan terakhirnya di temasya itu.
USM cipta rekod hasilkan kaligrafi Cina 2.68km
Penuntut USM cipta rekod dalam MBOR apabila menghasilkan penulisan kaligrafi Cina sepanjang 2.68 kilometer.
MITRA sudah belanja RM40 juta daripada peruntukan RM100 juta tahun ini
Sebanyak RM40 juta daripada peruntukan RM100 juta yang disalurkan kerajaan tahun ini kepada MITRA telah dimanfaatkan untuk pelbagai program.
Laporan Pasaran Labuan IBFC 2023 tunjukkan pemulihan kukuh, pertumbuhan luar biasa
Laporan Labuan IBFC 2023 mendedahkan pertumbuhan luar biasa wilayah itu yang menyumbang RM1.2 bilion kepada hasil fiskal Malaysia dan melepasi paras RM1 bilion buat pertama kalinya.
Freedom Flotilla to Gaza: Guinea-Bissau akur kepada Israel, tidak beri kebenaran guna bendera bagi misi pelayaran
Kerajaan Republik Guinea-Bissau dilaporkan tunduk dan akur kepada gesaan Israel untuk tidak membenarkan misi pelayaran Break The Siege: Freedom Flotilla to Gaza menggunakan bendera mereka.
Penyakit berkaitan haba dikhuatiri meningkat di Gaza
Penularan penyakit berkaitan haba panas menjadi kebimbangan terbaharu di Gaza selepas suhu luar jangka melampau melanda wilayah itu setiap hari. Ia sudah semestinya diburukkan lagi dengan kekurangan air bersih dan ketiadaan sistem pembuangan sisa pepejal yang sepatutnya wujud di sesebuah kawasan didiami manusia.
Ilhan Omar melawat peserta tunjuk perasaan
Wakil Dewan Perwakilan Amerika Syarikat (AS) Ilhan Omar mengadakan lawatan di kampus penyokong Pro Palestin di Universiti Columbia New York pada Khamis.