Sunday, September 26, 2010

50yrs Ago: Malay Language Is Important, Sultan Tells Chinese Students

Seria (September 10, 1960) - The importance of learning the Malay language in Brunei was stressed by His Highness the Sultan, Sir Omar `Ali Saifuddien, and the State Education Officer, Inche Idris bin Babjee, in speeches at the opening of the new Chung Ching Middle School building in Jalan Bolkiah here on Sunday.

His Highness, whose speech was read by him by the Duli Pengiran Pemancha, said that he was very pleased to see that Malay was being taught twice a week to all students at the school.

The State Education Officer said that, at present, only two hours were given to the Malay language in each class at the school, but there would be an intensification of Malay-teaching when qualified instructors became available.

He added that to learn a foreign language was very useful and, in the case of Malay, it was even more useful, as it was the national all official language of the state.

Inche Idris urged all students at the school to study Malay so that they would not be left behind.

"The Malay language is very important in this state. The people must understand and use the language," he said.

The new buildings were formally opened by the Duli Pengiran Pemancha, deputising for His Highness who was in the Federation of Malaya after attending the funeral of the late Paramount Ruler on Saturday. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Source: http://www.brudirect.com
Picture: http://www.princeton.edu