Tony Fernandes backs Pemandu survey on English

PETALING JAYA: AirAsia group chief Tan Sri Tony Fernandes (pic) has promptly backed the Performance Management and Delivery Unit’s (Pemandu) survey on the importance of boosting English proficiency, amid growing concerns over declining standards of the language in the country. 

In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Fernandes urged all Malaysians to participate in the seven-question survey, raising fears that the country was losing its competitiveness due to poor English standards. 

“Malaysia has lost its competitiveness due to our standards in English going down. We can’t run away from English. It’s the global language. 

“Imagine if all our kids were proficient in English like they were in the old days. Plus could speak Bahasa Mandarin and Tamil. Wow,” he said via his Twitter handle, @tonyfernandes. 

Sharing a link to the survey, the AirAsia boss called on Malaysians to complete the survey and get it going viral, adding that the airline had done its part by promoting the survey on its website. 

“Our country has so much potential. It’s time for silent majority to speak up.  I have tried in my small way. But I’m going to be louder,” he added. 

The Pemandu survey has generated mixed responses from the public since its announcement on Tuesday, with links to the survey being shared on social media accounts. 

Many of them have backed the need to improve the level of English proficiency and to use the language as the medium of instruction in schools. 

Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming was among the politicians who shared the link to the survey via his Twitter account, @imokman. 

“PEMANDU survey on the teaching of English in our national schools. Please fill in if u want MOE (Education Ministry) to see your feedback,” he wrote. 

Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan also shared the link to the survey on his Twitter page. 

There were also those who voiced their reservations of the survey, saying that they did not see it having the desired impact. 

“Did the Pemandu survey. With all due respect, I know where this is heading - teaching in English -  and I don't quite agree with it,” said Twitter user @jimiecheng. 

“You really need a survey for this Pemandu? What language do you all use during your meetings?” said @Art_Harun.