Vital to improve English writing skills among civil servants

RECENTLY, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak testified in court that the Prime Minister’s Office lacked officers proficient in English during his tenure, necessitating the engagement of a private company for writing services (“Najib denies using funds to boost his image”, The Star, Jan 15; online at bit.ly/star_najib). Coming from the country’s leader at the time, this statement is a damning indictment of the English proficiency and writing skills within our civil service, and it underscores the urgent need for reform.

A quick response from a senior retired civil servant in one of my chat groups suggested that officers should be sent on an intensive three-month writing skills training programme. While well-meaning, this oversimplified solution reflects a troubling mindset: that complex issues can be addressed with quick fixes. The reality is that improving language and writing proficiency requires more than attending a course. It demands dedication, daily practice, and a sustained effort to build and refine skills over time.