China is our next best bet

Making a point: Dr Wan Norashikin at the General Assembly.

“A JADE stone is worthless before it is polished; a man is good for nothing until he is educated.”

The Chinese proverb was quoted by Perak delegate Datuk Dr Wan Norashikin Wan Noordin when she told her audience that “China is the future for us.”

“One way to do so is to get more Malaysian youths, particularly Malays, to study their language (Mandarin) although I understand it is not easy to learn,” said Dr Wan Norashikin.

Malay youths should consider learning Mandarin because it would be a future asset, considering Malaysia’s plans to forge closer ties with China, she added when debating a motion on religion and education.

Dr Wan Norashikin said more efforts should also be made to bring both the nations closer considering their close economic cooperation .

Malaysia, she said, could tap into China’s bigger market to export products and services but this would require more Mandarin speakers.

“Think about this. If China is looking for consultants or experts from Malaysia, who are they more likely to take?

“Mandarin speakers would have a huge advantage so we should step up and open more avenues for Malays, especially the youths, to learn Mandarin starting from childhood,” she said.

During the Wanita Umno assembly on Wednesday, she made a similar suggestion, saying that the Government should introduce Mandarin classes in primary schools.