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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysians to move beyond prolonged disputes over language and refocus national attention on preparing the next generation for an increasingly competitive global future.
Speaking at a gathering with the Chinese community at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Perting, in Bentong, Anwar stressed that the government’s multilingual education policy does not undermine the position of Bahasa Melayu as the national and official language, but instead strengthens national unity while equipping students with essential skills.
He said the ability to master more than one language is a critical asset in facing global challenges and enhancing the competitiveness of young Malaysians, without eroding the country’s national identity.
“We no longer want endless inter-ethnic disputes over language. Our priority is to improve the quality of life and secure the future of our children,” he said.
“They need to be ready to compete for work not only within the country, but across Asia and globally. That is why language, science, mathematics, digital skills and artificial intelligence must be mastered from the early stages of schooling,” he added.
Anwar said education reform should be treated as a shared national agenda that transcends ethnic divisions, with greater emphasis placed on improving schools, strengthening teacher training and ensuring adequate facilities for students.
While differing views on education policy are inevitable, he said such differences must be addressed maturely and without losing sight of the broader goal of education as a unifying force and a driver of national progress.
During the event, the Prime Minister announced the approval of RM13.5 million in funding for improvement works and additional facilities at SJKC Perting.
Of that amount, RM300,000 has been released immediately to allow preliminary works to begin.
He said the allocation forms part of preparations for the voluntary entry of five-year-olds into preschool and six-year-olds into Year One starting next year.
“I hope all parties, including school administrators, teachers, parents and the local community, will continue to support this school so it can serve as an example for other schools,” he said.
The funding will be used to construct an additional six-classroom block for the Integrated Special Education Programme and one classroom for the Integrated Preschool at SJKC Perting. - January 22, 2026