The Language Medium Policy in

Malaysia: A Plural Society Model?

Written by
Ales Puteh
Education Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia
E-mail: alis@uum.edu.my

ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to examine the development and the

implementation of language medium policy in the Malaysia

Education System and its relation to nation building.
.As a plural society, nation building or national integration
(Ibrahim, 1985) was considered of the utmost importance in
Malaysia.
The present study focuses on the process of development and the
implementation of a education language policy in Malaysia.
The findings of this study show that the language medium policy
did not successfully develop unity among the students.
The process of integration is taking place in the schools setting
but this process is rather slow and tottering.

1.
2.

Interview the person who is directly

involved in the process of education in
Malaysia.
Study and examines a number of
scholarly publications and other primary
sources of information.

EDUCATION POLICY-LANGUAGE
MEDIUM POLICY
i.

National School

Primary :
use Malay (53930 ,Mandarin
(1284), Tamil (526) and
English as medium of
instruction ( Science/math)
Secondary:
use Malay(1645) and English
Tertiary
use Malay and English

ii.

Private School

Primary :
use Malay,Mandarin, Tamil ,
English and Arabic as
medium of instruction
Secondary:
use Malay,Mandarin, English
and Arabic as medium of
instruction
Tertiary
use Malay , Arabic and
English as medium of
instruction

Comparison between nationalism and

nationism
Nationalisme

Nationisme

Nationalism (sociocultural integration)

is the process of transforming from
fragmentary and tradition-bound
ethnicity to unifying and ideologized
nationality(Joshua Fishman (1968).

Nationism (politico-geographical
integration) is a process where the political
boundaries are most silent and most efforts
are directed towards maintaining and
strengthening them, regardless of the
immediate sociocultural character of the
populations they embrace (Fishman, 1968).

in nationalism the development of selfidentity and group identity is through a

common group - in malaysia nationalism
is achieved through common language,
Malay language

in nationism it is the question of efficiency

or group cohesion that is important
nationism is achieved through English

Development of an Educational Policy: Education Act

1960 and 1996
During Colonial time
British policy- divide and rule
most of the schools in urban areas were in the English medium- majority students was
non Malay, mostly Chinese. Majority of the Malays mainly located in the

rural areas
Post independence 1957 -2000s
The Barnes report 1951English as a medium of instruction
Malay- The national language
Chinese and Indian- to be taught as POL
The Razak Report 1956
Gradually introduce Malay as the national language, but English still important
The Education act 1996
allowed English to be used as a medium of instruction, with the prior approval of the
Minister of Education (section 41), due to globalization

The issue of language and nation

building
Although Bahasa Malaysia has become by law as the

official language, the practical status of this language

is still not fully realized
English is still very important and widely used as well
as Mandarin
The lovers and supporters of English language
included Malay leaders prefer to use English .
A Malay students with no knowledge of mandarin will
have no chance in getting job in Chinese firm

My opinion towards the finding of this

authors study
According to speech of Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
THE national language is the strongest unifying factor, irrespective of race or religion. It
also plays an important role in bridging the gap between the nations multi-ethnic
community
But
The finding of this study clearly indicate to us that there are so many constraints to
uphold the Malay language as a tools to unitea plural Malaysian society.
Too much competition faced by the Malay language. Elite society whether Malay, China
and India still have high regard for the english language. Beside, the Chinese still
dominate the economy of our country
Education policies that are often changed because of opposition from parties who have a
specific political agenda.
I also agree with Dr Mahathir's statement that 'learning the language Bahasa Inggeris will
reinforce the spirit of nationalism when it is used to bring about development and
progress for the country .. True nationalism doing every possible means for the country
even it means learning the language Bahasa Inggeris

Conclusion
Bahasa Melayu is not the only tool that can be pledged

to unite the races in Malaysia.

Most important is every nation has a patriotism spirit
and always trying to provide a useful contribution to
the country, Cooperation, mutual respect, does not
have extreme prejudiced and have a high tolerance
between the races could also be a part of tools in
process of nation building.

Conclusion
Bahasa Melayu is not the only tool that can be pledged to

unite the plural society in Malaysia in a process of nation

building.
Most important is every nation must has
1. a patriotism spirit and
2.
always trying to provide a useful contribution to the
country,
3. Cooperation and mutual respect,
4. does not have extreme prejudiced and
5. have a high tolerance