The prime minister said that English was used widely in various industries and it would be difficult for those in such fields, who did not have a good grasp of the language, to understand instructions.

Those who had a poor command of English, he said, found it difficult to get jobs.

International scientific conferences are conducted in English and if Malaysian scientists are not fluent in English, they would not be able to understand these discussions.

“I am a Malay. I love the community and the Malay language. But we need to consider the advancement of the community.

“If we care for the community, we must emphasise on their success more than focusing on the mother tongue.

“We need to think this through,” Mahathir, who is also acting education minister, said at an event here today.

On Jan 31, Mahathir said the teaching of Science and Maths in English (PPSMI) is the way to go for Malaysia to obtain greater skills.

PPSMI was introduced in Year One in primary schools and Form One in secondary schools in 2003. However, it was abolished in 2013.

Mahathir said in Malaysia, the three main races taught Science and Maths in their mother tongue.

But in the scientific field, scientists must discuss among themselves to overcome problems.

“Will those who speak the national language, Mandarin and Tamil be able to discuss among themselves?”