KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian police offi­cers are encouraged to learn Mandarin due to the increasing importance of the Chinese language, according to Sin Chew Daily.

Plans are underway for the officers to learn the language, said Royal Malaysian Police College of Kuala Lumpur commandant Deputy Comm Datuk Yong Lei Choo (pic) in an interview with the daily.

She said the plans included setting up a language centre to offer courses on Chinese and other languages.

At the moment, she said the college has a two-week course on Mandarin for non-Chinese officers to learn simple conversational phrases, such as greetings.

DCP Yong said the police wanted to expand on this course to enhance the language proficiency of policemen in an effort to bring the force closer to the Chinese community.

She also said the plan was backed by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.

DCP Yong, who is the 10th commandant of the college, is the first Chinese female officer to head the institution.

She said she would strive to transform the college and produce knowledgeable senior police officers with an international-level competitive edge.

“This is why we are inviting local and foreign lecturers and professionals to impart knowledge on various fields,” she added.