Commenting on the flak Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has received over his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Awang Azman said proficiency in English mattered little to ordinary Malaysians. “To them, it’s more important for a leader to have integrity” he told FMT.
“What is the point of being fluent in English and yet show bad leadership and an inability to bring about national development?”
He pointed out that although representatives of developed countries like Japan, Germany and South Korea were not fluent in their English, they were still respected internationally.
“In fact, even those leaders who are fluent in English choose to speak in their own languages because they’re proud of them. They let translators and interpreters render their statements in English.”
Another analyst, Jeniri Amir of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, said he believed it would be good for Malaysia’s image at the international level if its leaders were fluent in English.
However, he added, it was more important for them to demonstrate fluency in the national language, especially when speaking to Malaysian audiences.
“I think it is unfair for certain politicians to condemn others for not being able to speak English well when they can’t even speak Bahasa Malaysia well in Parliament, for example,” he said.
“There are a few MPs who have trouble expressing themselves in the national language.”
Chor Chee Heung, the former minister for housing and local government, agreed that it was important for a Malaysian official to speak English fluently when representing the country abroad. But he commended Zahid for “doing his best” and was of the opinion that he “didn’t do that badly at all”.
“What he said could be understood,” he said. “If he keeps practising, I believe he will be fantastic in one or two years.”
Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, who leads the Parent Action Group for Education, agreed with Jeniri and Chor.
“It is fantastic if you’re able to present yourself overseas in Bahasa, but your reach will be much wider if you present yourself in English because sometimes your meaning gets lost in translation,” she said.
She said it would be unfair to criticise a speaker’s English accent if he could get his message across accurately.