Datuk Haji Awang Hashim in Parliament wants all sectors, including journalism, to conduct their interviews in Bahasa Melayu in an act of patriotism.

The Deputy Human Resource Minister said, “Bahasa Melayu is the national language, so we must use it in all sectors, except for investors who do not understand BM, they can use English.”

The Pendang MP believes if workers are Malaysian and loyal to the nation, they are required to use the national language

‘enshrined’ within the Federal Constitution.

The Barisan Nasional party member comments fall in line after a PAS politician had belittled a female journalist for asking an English question.

Tan Ai Lee was upset with the minister because she is deemed ‘not Malaysian enough’.

“We are children of Malaysia, born and bred that’s for sure. But we must be at least given the choice to speak the language we prefer and are comfortable with,” she said.

Tan asks Haji Awang to think objectively and not blabber on for the sake of it.

Rajaretnam Nadason labels Haji Awang as a politician that is not credible, yet lectures about loyalty.

Loyalty is not measured by language, he says, and it is obvious that a politician like him is unable to provide credible answers that address the issue.

“Being an MP, he should have politely asked the journalist to speak in a language he understands,” he said.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE