KNOWLEDGE, GOOD COMMAND OF LANGUAGE VITAL - DR MAHATHIR

SINTOK (Malaysia), Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Mastery of science and technology
would ensure that one would have new knowledge within grasp and the country
would not be left behind in the global development process, said former prime
minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In order to achieve this, he said, it was also vital for the people in
this country to have good command of one or more languages other than the
national language.

"A lot of science-based knowledge is evolving each day. Much of it is
written in foreign languages, especially English. If the people want to learn
more, they have to master more languages.

"Knowledge and language are related to the economy. If we lack both, then
we will not be able to catch up with the developed countries," he said in his
keynote address at the Kedah Education Colloquium at Northern University of
Malaysia (Universiti Utara Malaysia-UUM), in Sintok, a small town in northern
Kedah state in Peninsular Malaysia, Monday.

Themed "Future Education", the colloquium was jointly organised by the Kedah
Educational Excellence Association, UUM College of Arts and Sciences, Kedah
Education Department and Kedah Headmasters Council.

Dr Mahathir said at present many people of different nationalities were
migrating to other countries as language was no longer a communication barrier.

"The future of all nations will depend on their multi-racial people. For
example, the United States can no longer stop the influx of the Hispanics.

"This means the influence of knowledge and the type of future education will
be determined by them," he said.

The former prime minister said with vast knowledge and language competency,
economic ties with foreign countries would be more effective and easier to
be developed.

In reply to a question on the issue of salary, allowances and promotion to
motivate the educators, Dr Mahathir said no one would really feel satisfied with
what he or she received.


"In comparison, I think 100 million Indonesians will migrate to Malaysia if
given the opportunity because the people in this country are luckier in many
aspects," he said.

On another note, Dr Mahathir said the quality of graduates produced by local
universities was still satisfactory as proven by the number of foreign students
in Malaysia.

Later at a press conference, he said the education system in the country was
still relevant, but the good values and character-building aspects should be
intensified to produce more disciplined citizens.

"Parents nowadays do not have much time to spend with their children because
they are working. That is why education, which also focuses on religious
aspects, is vital to prevent the children from using the knowledge they acquire
for destructive purposes."

He said character building was becoming more important to inculcate good
values, discipline and a considerate attitude.

-- BERNAMA