PKR leader schools Ong, recalls Anwar painting over English signboards

PKR leader schools Ong, recalls Anwar painting over English signboards


Published: Oct 8, 2024 5:24 PM


From the storied halls of the Malay College of Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) in Perak to the corridors of power in Putrajaya, Anwar Ibrahim has dedicated himself to uplifting Bahasa Melayu, said PKR central committee member Fahmi Zainol.

In schooling former DAP lawmaker Ong Kiang Ming over his “shallow remarks which appeared to belittle the prime minister’s efforts”, he also recalled how as a student leader, the Pakatan Harapan chairperson had staged a protest where he painted over signboards which used the English language.

Urging Ong to familiarise himself with Anwar’s endeavours in this department, he said: “Since his schooldays in MCKK, he was active in the Persatuan Bahasa Melayu.”

“During his tertiary education, he was the acting president of the Persatuan Bahasa Melayu Universiti Malaya,” he added.

Fahmi (above) also defended Anwar’s criticism of certain “elite groups” for their obsession with the English language, which has led them to underestimate the importance of the national language.

The PKR leader said this “reflected the reality” of the situation in this country, and the prime minister wanted to arrest the decline.

Yesterday, Ong advised Anwar to focus on the positive instead of the negative narratives to encourage the use of Bahasa Melayu.

[More to follow]