Tan Sri Adenan Satem (centre) on arrival at the Bau Community Centre. He says he does not care what others say about his English language policy, November 24, 2015. ― Picture by Sulok Tawie

BAU, Nov 24 — Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem rejected criticism of his move to adopt English as one of Sarawak’s official languages, saying that those who shun the language are putting themselves at a disadvantage.

He further stated that employing English for official use in his administration would also benefit Sarawak’s multiracial and multicultural natives.

“I am just being realistic as English is a language used in commerce, science and technology among the international community,” he said. “If you don't speak English, you will be left behind.”

“I do not care what others (from Peninsular Malaysia) say about our adoption of English as our official language,” he said at the handing over of land titles and land compensation to owners of native customary rights land here, today.

Speaking to reporters later, Adenan said critics of his English language policy have the right to express their views, but that he disagreed with former federal minister Tan Sri Rais Yatim's claim that the adoption of English in Sarawak would create discord among Malaysians.

The chief minister further said his English language policy will not be in conflict with the Federal Constitution as claimed by some critics.

“I am not talking about replacing Bahasa Malaysia with English. No, we are not doing that. I am talking adopting English as our official language, apart from Bahasa Malaysia,” he said, explaining that English will not be the exclusive language to be used in the state government administration.

At the state civil service day gathering on November 18, Adenan announced the adoption of English as one of the official languages in the state government administration.

Responding to the announcement, Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Openg said Sarawak was merely upholding the right under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 by adopting English as the official language.