A Student Answered "I'm Malaysian" When A Waiter Asked If He Was Vegetarian
Bukit Gelugor's UMNO chief was recounting stories about Malaysian students who can barely speak English at the launch of the 'Future Kids & My English' programme.
By Jia Vern Tham — 12 Mar 2018, 06:55 PM
Yesterday, 11 March, the 'Future Kids & My English' programme was officially launched in SK Bukit Gelugor, Penang by Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid
According to China Press, the programme will provide free English tuition classes to 140 selected students from seven schools in Bukit Gelugor.
The English classes, which are tailored for standard four students, will be taught using St. Christopher's International Primary School's curriculum.
Bukit Gelugor UMNO division chief Datuk Omar Faudzar, who was also present at the ceremony, expressed his disappointment in Malay students as they can barely speak English
According to Omar, a Malay student failed to order food using English while dining in an American restaurant.
"This Malay student studies in the Royal Military College and earned good results in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)," Omar said.
"When the waiter asked if he was vegetarian, he said he was Malaysian," he added.
Omar also shared another story about a Malay man who now holds the Yang Berhormat (YB) title, but couldn't order a meal in English at the airport years ago
Omar said he was asked to help this Malay man and his brother prepare for their trip to the United States years ago.
However, when they arrived at the airport, he realised that the siblings were hungry because they could not order food in English.
Omar emphasised the importance of the English language, which fuelled the launch of 'Future Kids & My English'
"Many Malay students who go for job interviews can't communicate fluently in English," Omar was quoted as saying by China Press.
"This is why we're providing standard four English classes for free to 140 selected students from seven schools in Bukit Gelugor," he added.