KUALA LUMPUR: Nga Kor Ming (pic) has stated that efforts to strengthen the use of English among civil servants will be a priority while also upholding Bahasa Malaysia. He also mentioned that his ministry, the Housing and Local Development Ministry, will organize initiatives, such as English speech competitions, to encourage civil servants to be proficient in both languages. Nga emphasized the importance of maintaining a good command of English to ensure the country can keep pace with the world during the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (Acccim) Power Chat 2.0 at the Wisma Chinese Chamber.
Nga stressed the need for civil servants to be proficient in both languages to fulfill the government’s global ambitions. He acknowledged the importance of Bahasa Malaysia in Malaysian society but also highlighted that a command of English is a crucial factor for economic success. He further emphasized that neglecting to nurture a good command of English would hurt the government’s long-term efforts to become a regional economic hub.
Nga highlighted that good English proficiency is essential to attract foreign investors and stay relevant in the global business community, as many businesses around the world use English as their primary language of communication. He also mentioned that the Prime Minister had previously cautioned local enterprises, government agencies, and private universities to send letters in Malay or they would be returned.
Nga mentioned that his ministry will propose 12 new initiatives to enhance economic development during the upcoming year in the two-day Cabinet retreat. These initiatives focus on addressing issues such as the lack of affordable housing, promoting circular sustainable economy, encouraging urban renewal, and tackling dilapidated public housing projects.
He further added that the Urban Renewal Act, previously announced, will be tabled in Parliament this year. Nga revealed that other ministries are also expected to propose at least six initiatives during the retreat, with a focus on benefiting the people and economic development. He emphasized that 2024 will be crucial for the nation in terms of post-Covid-19 recovery and recent global events.
He noted that the unity government’s second two-day retreat will address the proposed Fixed-term Parliament Act (FTPA), which will be essential in restoring public confidence. Once implemented, it would enable everyone to concentrate on nation-building and economic prosperity without continuous political involvement. The FTPA will also streamline future election planning and notification processes, making it easier for the Election Commission (EC), the public, and businesses.
