T C Goh
KOTA KINABALU: The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) President Tan Sri T C Goh believes the Federal Government should show respect and acceptance for the current practice of Sabah and Sarawak Governments in using Malay or English as the official language for correspondence.
He pointed out that Article 161 of the Federal Constitution stipulates that Sabah is authorised to use English as an official language, and this provision should be honoured and upheld by all concerned parties.
In a statement issued today, Goh expressed his agreement and support for the statement made by Sabah Deputy Secretary Datuk Ahemad Sade explicitly indicating that the Sabah Government will continue to accept official letters in both Malay and English for the time being.
Goh also highlighted that Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Mohd Abu Bakar Marzuki has declared that the Sarawak civil service can utilise English in official communications. He emphasised that Sarawak will not adhere to the reminder issued by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday, urging all government departments not to entertain letters written in languages other than the national language, Bahasa Melayu.
Goh further reminded that in June last year, Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg stated that the state civil service would continue using English as the official language alongside the national language, Malay. Abang Johari also referenced the Federal Constitution, which permits the use of English in Sabah and Sarawak High Court proceedings, as well as proceedings in the Federal Court or Court of Appeal.
Goh, who is also the President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong), contends that while the Sabah State Legislative Assembly holds the authority to discuss or modify relevant policies, he hopes that Sabah can maintain the official policy and position of using both languages (Malay and English), similar to Sarawak.
He reiterated that much like Sarawak, official correspondence with the Sabah Government has consistently been conducted in both Malay and English.
He noted that Sabah Deputy Secretary, Datuk Ahemad Sade too has cited Article 161 of the Federal Constitution, which allows Sabah to use English as an official language.
Goh hopes therefore that the Federal Government can fully respect and comply with the Federal Constitution and exempt Sabah and Sarawak from its latest policy, which mandates local businesses, universities, and higher learning institutions to use the Malay language to communicate with government departments, under the threat of rejection of their letters.
However, he emphasised that while Malay is the national language with an unquestionable official status, the importance of English cannot be denied. It is an international language that federal and state civil servants must master to effectively carry out their duties.
