Those who reject BM need not live in Malaysia – Agong
PARLIAMENT | The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has reminded Malaysians who are unwilling to accept Bahasa Malaysia as the national language that they should not live in this country.
In his royal address at the opening of the 2026 parliamentary sitting, the monarch said any education system introduced must be aligned with the national education policy, which is founded on the Malay language.
PARLIAMENT | The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has reminded Malaysians who are unwilling to accept Bahasa Malaysia as the national language that they should not live in this country.
In his royal address at the opening of the 2026 parliamentary sitting, the monarch said any education system introduced must be aligned with the national education policy, which is founded on the Malay language.
“The national education system must also continue to be strengthened as a means of nation-building, identity formation and securing the country’s future.
“If a new education system is to be introduced, it must be done in line with the national education policy, and Bahasa Malaysia must be the main language because it is the national language.
“Therefore, any proposal to recognise any other education system must accept the Malay language and Malaysian history. If there are those who do not accept the language, it would be better for them not to live in Malaysia,” he added.
The king’s remarks came amid ongoing pushback against moves to get the government to recognise the United Examination Certificate (UEC), a standardised pre-university examination for Chinese independent high schools in Malaysia.
DAP’s move last year to get UEC recognised reignited backlash and allegations that it is seeking to undermine the Malays.
However, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said that he was not opposed to UEC recognition as long as the priority is to master Bahasa Malaysia.
Anwar also reminded that any demands touching on religious, racial, or ethnic sensitivities must consider the constitutional position of the national language.
UEC recognition has been a pivotal part of Pakatan Harapan’s pledge to the public, as it was part of their 2018 and 2022 general election campaign promises, provided that applicants obtained a credit in SPM-level Bahasa Malaysia.
Founding principles
In his speech today, Sultan Ibrahim also reminded all parties to return to the country’s founding principles of unity and harmony, citing the Malaysia Agreement 1963, which united the Malayan Federation with the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak.
He reminded that the country’s founding virtues were meant to foster unity and harmony amongst the rakyat of different races.
“We must return to the country’s founding principles - unity, respect, and cooperation between each state and the federal government.
“Be careful not to incite tensions among states. Disagreement and differing opinions should be settled maturely, and not through hate or suspicion,” he said.
Emulate Singapore and bring back English in schools Google the above title in Malaymail website dated March 23, 2015 Sultan of Johor Wants English Implemented in Malaysian Schools easyuni(dot)my(forward slash)advice(forward slash)sultan-of-johor-wants-english-implemented-in-malaysian-schools-1808(forward slash) Nov-11-2017 can also google this title... I have not come across any Malaysian who rejects bahasa malaysia