This was not the first time that a Sarawak minister has to repeat his government’s stance to promote English among students in Sarawak schools.

On Sept 17, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dr Annuar Rapaee was compelled to say it again—Sarawak will remain steadfast in using English as a medium of instruction in schools despite facing criticism and being labelled “unpatriotic.”

As a Sarawakian, I support Annuar’s and the Sarawak Government’s consistent stand on the issue—English will be a medium of instruction in Sarawak schools and the second official language for communication in Sarawak.

I must ask: What is so wrong with promoting English among our students that certain quarters in Malaya have to label Sarawakians as unpatriotic for doing so? What is so wrong about learning an international language, and one as important as English?

I consider the accusation of being “unpatriotic” for promoting English as both misplaced and unfair.

Sarawakians are not rejecting the national language, Bahasa Malaysia, by valuing English.

Rather, they are equipping themselves and their children with the skills needed to thrive in a globalized world.

I wish to stress here: Let this sink into the heads of the critics.

There is something which all those involved in education in the country must understand if our students are to get anywhere at all either in the pursuit of a basic education or striving towards academic excellence.

Please keep this in mind as well, if the critics choose to play dumb—English is the dominant language of science, commerce, technology and international diplomacy, whether you like it or not.

To handicap students by denying them strong English proficiency is to put them at a competitive disadvantage—not just globally, but even within Malaysia, where many industries demand English-speaking talent.

Our people, especially politicians, must be able to comprehend that patriotism should not mean shutting the door on opportunity, but ensuring that Malaysians can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world.

It’s actually very sad to see that critics also fail to see that promoting English does not mean diminishing Bahasa Malaysia.

Both languages can co-exist, with BM retaining its rightful place as the national language and a symbol of unity.

I must also ask why critics find it so difficult to accept that in fact, Sarawak’s initiative strengthens Malaysia’s image as a progressive, multilingual nation, not a narrow-minded one.

If anything, fostering bilingualism (or even trilingualism, given the importance of local mother tongues) is a mark of patriotism, because it prepares citizens to succeed while still honoring their national identity.

The real betrayal would be to deny young Malaysians the tools they need to flourish in the future, all in the name of misplaced pride.

At this juncture, I feel compelled to send a message to the critics—a handful of groups in Malaya who are known to us in Sarawak as well as to the education authorities in Putrajaya.

Instead of deriding Sarawak’s efforts, let me urge the federal education policymakers to take a page from its playbook instead.

Isn’t it a fact that Malaysia as a whole has long grappled with the declining standard of English among students and graduates—a problem frequently lamented by employers?

We have a moral obligation to promote English in our homeland so that our future generations of Sarawakians will be better equipped to compete in the global arena.

Sarawak’s proactive stance in promoting English shows foresight and pragmatism: it is investing in its future workforce.

Rather than framing English as a threat to Bahasa Malaysia, it should be embraced as a complementary tool—one that enhances our competitiveness while preserving national identity.

If federal educators truly wish to serve the national interest, they should emulate Sarawak’s pursuit of English excellence.

Encouraging bilingual or even trilingual Malaysians is not a weakness but a strength.

Our neighbors in Singapore and the Philippines have long reaped the rewards of English proficiency, attracting investments and expanding opportunities for their people.

Malaysia should do no less. By uplifting the command of English among all Malaysians, we not only level the playing field for our youth but also strengthen the nation’s standing in the region and the world.

To the critics, whom I have no intention to name names, let me also remind you that Sarawak’s position on English is anchored in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) report.

“If you read the IGC report, paragraph 17(1), it mentions that the current policy of education in Borneo, that is Sabah and Sarawak, should be continued, which includes English.

Therefore, English must be used not only as an official language, but (also) as a medium of instruction in all schools in Sarawak, without any challenge to the constitution,” Dr Annuar stated.

He also said that since 2019, the federal government has allowed Sarawak to teach mathematics and science in English.

It is also interesting to note that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has recently stressed on the importance of English alongside Bahasa Malaysia.

Not too long ago, former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad also stated that English should be brought back as a medium of instruction in all government schools.

“Sarawak’s insistence on English is not only based on history but also to prepare its people for the future. We must move forward together using English as it is an important language which our students must excel in,” added Dr Annuar.

Thank you, Dr Annuar, for your consistent and firm stand on the matter. I believe that 3.2 million Sarawakians agree with you and share the same position.

We have a moral obligation to promote English in our homeland so that our future generations of Sarawakians will be better equipped to compete in the global arena.

(Francis Paul Siah is a veteran Sarawak editor and currently heads the Movement for Change Sarawak, MoCS. He can be reached at [email protected].)