Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim underscored the importance of strong proficiency in Bahasa Melayu as a cornerstone of improving Malaysia’s education system during an engagement with the Chinese community in Bentong, Pahang, on January 23, 2026. He emphasised that mastery of the national language is essential for national cohesion and academic excellence, while clarifying that it does not come at the expense of learning other languages.
Anwar explained that a solid command of Bahasa Melayu should be a shared standard for all students, regardless of the type of school they attend. At the same time, he noted that Malaysia’s multilingual education framework allows students to become proficient in their mother tongues and additional languages such as English and Arabic. According to him, this balanced approach is necessary for both national unity and international competitiveness.
He highlighted that Malaysia must prepare its students to operate confidently on the global stage, which requires strong English proficiency alongside the national language. Within this framework, vernacular schools such as Chinese and Tamil institutions are encouraged to continue strengthening their respective languages, provided that Bahasa Melayu remains a core competency for all students as the country’s official language.
During the event at SJKC Perting, Anwar revealed that the Ministry of Education has been directed to ensure a sufficient supply of qualified language teachers across all school types. This initiative is intended not only to support vernacular schools, but also to expand opportunities in national schools for students who wish to learn additional languages, including Chinese, Tamil, and Arabic. He said this approach is aimed at reducing prolonged disputes over language issues and redirecting focus towards improving educational outcomes.
The prime minister reiterated that the government’s priority is to raise the overall quality of education so that Malaysian students are able to compete effectively, not just domestically or within ASEAN, but also at the global level. He cited graduates from schools like SJKC Perting as examples of how a strong educational foundation can elevate students’ prospects beyond national borders.
Anwar acknowledged that differing views on education policy may persist, but cautioned against allowing such differences to distract from broader national goals. He stressed that meaningful progress depends on upgrading school infrastructure, training more teachers, and equipping students with future-ready skills.
In outlining the skills needed for the next generation, he pointed to language proficiency, digital literacy, artificial intelligence, mathematics, science, and technology as key areas that will shape students’ futures. These competencies, he said, will determine whether Malaysia can sustain long-term progress.
To support these objectives, Anwar announced an allocation of RM13.5 million for repairs and new facilities at SJKC Perting, with RM300,000 approved immediately to begin preliminary implementation work.
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