Commotion at Penang state assembly over choice of language
GEORGE TOWN: A commotion has erupted in the morning session of the Penang State Assembly at Lebuh Light over the use of language by assemblymen.
This comes after Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo (PH–Datok Keramat), who was responding to a question, was interrupted by Azmi Alang (PN–Teluk Ayer Tawar), who requested that the speech be delivered in Malay.
The remark triggered reactions across the assembly in the August Hall, prompting Jagdeep to clarify that he had, in fact, spoken in Malay and not solely in English.
"Whatever I have spoken, I have started with Bahasa Malaysia.
"What did Teluk Ayer Tawar get in SPM for Bahasa Malaysia? Dare to answer? After I have spoken in Bahasa Malaysia and if you do not understand English, I shall come and teach you," he replied, jokingly, on Tuesday (May 20).
Speaker Datuk Seri Law Choo Kiang then stepped in to calm the situation and reminded members that it was preferable to use Malay for official proceedings.
Before continuing his response, Jagdeep then apologised and acknowledged the suggestion, saying that he would proceed in Malay, but emphasised the global significance of English.
"I have no problems with Bahasa Malaysia.
"It is (English) the lingua franca of the world. "Sorry, sorry, sorry, I've been here for 18 years," he said, adding that his aim was to serve Penang to the best of his ability.
Jagdeep was answering a question from Teh Lai Heng (PH–Komtar) regarding how multinational companies (MNCs) benefit not only through investments but also via the strengthening of the electrical and electronics (E&E) ecosystem, including technology transfer, talent development, and the alignment of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programmes with the needs of high-skill industries.
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