PETALING JAYA: Some 249 international schools in the country have been found to have neglected the teaching of Bahasa Melayu in their schools, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said the national language is the backbone of national identity and fluency in the tongue must be nurtured in all citizens.
“We have noticed widespread neglect in (teaching BM) in 249 international schools.
“International schools must ensure that the Malay language and civic education is taught properly to all Malaysian students.
“(Bahasa Melayu) is not merely a language of communication, but also a language of knowledge, culture, and unity,” he told the Dewan Rakyat in tabling the 2026 budget.
Anwar said the education ministry will continue prioritising BM as the medium of instruction in schools, but maintained that mastery of the English language in the national education system must be prioritised from young.