Pasir Salak Umno Women chief Datuk Dr Wan Norashikin says making Mandarin a mandatory subject in all government schools is crucial now that Malaysia has made China a top trade partner. ― File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 ― An Umno Women delegate called on the Ministry of Education today to make Mandarin a mandatory subject in all government schools.

Speaking at the Umno Women annual general assembly here, Datuk Dr Wan Norashikin, the wing's Pasir Salak chief said making Mandarin mandatory was crucial now that Malaysia had made China a top trade partner.

“Make Mandarin mandatory in all government schools. Why not since the schools already have additional language subjects.

“And in line with the government's success in attracting investment from China. This makes Mandarin important for our success,” she said while debating the wing's motion on education.

Wan Norashikin also said making Mandarin mandatory is in line with the government's push for well-rounded world class students.

“We can have a more sophisticated and world class generation students,” she said.

Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak recently announced several partnership projects with Chinese companies worth RM155 billion.

One of the projects includes the East Coast Rail Link worth close to RM14 billion.