KUALA LUMPUR – The Education Ministry’s (MoE) proposal to introduce foreign languages as electives in schools is just rhetoric tied to Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship, says Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim.
Her comments followed Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s announcement that Malaysia would expand elective language offerings in schools to include Asean languages such as Thai, Khmer, and Vietnamese, aiming to boost regional collaboration.
Fadhlina said Malaysia’s bilingual foundation in Bahasa Malaysia and English is evolving to support regional integration, and mastering additional Asean languages would help Malaysians thrive in a multilingual Asean workforce.
Speaking to Scoop, Noor Azimah argued that the MoE should instead prioritise improving English proficiency – a “low-hanging fruit” – rather than pursuing a steep learning curve with more foreign languages.
“This is simply rhetoric to appear relevant in line with the flavour of the month – our Asean chairmanship.
“At present, we already face a shortage of Mandarin and Tamil teachers. Importing teachers for Vietnamese, Khmer, or Thai would yield poor returns on investment.
“The minister may not be aware that the official language of Asean is English. Hence, we should focus on improving English proficiency. Mandarin is another essential language, especially for trade with populous Indonesia – and of course, we must not neglect Bahasa Melayu.
“Even the People’s Republic of China is learning English. To trade with China, Asean countries will need to learn Mandarin or English. In India, English and Hindi are preferred for business over Tamil. The Arab world has even added Mandarin as a core subject.
“So let us not deceive ourselves with political agendas that will only confuse our children, and instead aim to be proficient in (Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin),” she stressed.
Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education chairman Mak Chee Kin echoed these concerns, calling the move a waste of MoE resources, especially with a lukewarm response to existing elective languages in schools like Arabic, Mandarin, Tamil, and Iban.
“Of course, knowing another language is an advantage. But introducing the languages mentioned by the MoE as electives in schools is simply not feasible or practical.
He also brought up the issue of interest among students, manpower, and funding, adding that there are already several elective languages being offered in school.
“How many students would actually opt for these subjects? Who would teach them, and who would bear the costs? “
“We already offer many elective languages – Arabic, Mandarin, Tamil, Iban – yet the response has been underwhelming. Why would more students be interested in new Asean languages, when many have already given up on our existing offerings?
“If this is purely for business communication, there’s no need to make it an elective. Just look at the many foreigners living in our country – many have picked up local languages like Bahasa Melayu, Mandarin, and various dialects in just a few months.
“There’s no need to propose wild ideas that add burden and pressure on our teachers. Instead, focus on current issues such as strengthening the languages we already offer, addressing the teacher shortage, improving facilities – and invest the funds wisely,” said Chee Kin.
‘Entirely feasible if optional’
However, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia senior lecturer Anuar Ahmad offered a more positive view, praising the MoE’s initiative. He highlighted its long-term potential, while acknowledging the need for more teachers.
“From an educational standpoint, there are no major concerns.
“We know that learning these languages can enhance our connections with Asean neighbours. Imagine if some children develop an interest in Thai – that would be a very encouraging development.
“This proposal is entirely feasible. If offered as an elective or optional subject, I believe many students would be keen to learn and benefit from it.
“Learning a variety of languages – including Tamil and Chinese – is also valuable for cultural exposure and understanding. The MoE should, however, consider increasing the number of qualified teachers to support this effort,” he said.
Recently, there have long been calls to integrate vernacular languages into national schools to promote unity among Malaysian children.
Chinese schools, in particular, are seeing increased enrolment from Malay families. In February, it was reported that all Year One students at SJKC Kong Aik in Mata Ayer, Perlis, were non-Chinese – with 93 of the 190 students being Malay. – April 23, 2025