COMMENT | There is a Malaysian proverb that says, "You can take the Malay out of the kampung (village), but you cannot take the kampung out of the Malay."

There is also an ancient Chinese proverb that says, 'To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.'

In modern-day Malaysia, many insecure race supremacist types would rather cart their tempurung (coconut shell) with them, including when they travel overseas.

Last month's decision by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob whereby government representatives must use Bahasa Malaysia (BM) in international meetings is a regressive step. Did he and his cabinet think about the consequences of this decision?

No one is suggesting BM be downplayed, but we are living in a world where if you fail to catch up with the rest, you will be left behind. So, what are Ismail Sabri's plans for Malaysians to master the English language?

In all his decades as a politician...