Sarawak says multinational firms are prioritising English-speaking local talent, with weak language skills costing some graduates job opportunities.
KUCHING: Multinational consortiums setting up new operations in Sarawak are giving priority in recruitment to local candidates with strong English communication skills.
Sarawak Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Seri Roland Sagah said there have been cases where local graduates failed to secure jobs with these multinational companies because of their lack of proficiency in English.
“The ability to write and communicate well in English is very important for those seeking employment with multinational companies.
“We in Sarawak are seeing increasing ties with multinational companies setting up operations here, and they are ready to hire those with good technical qualifications who are also proficient in English.
“There have been cases where locals with technical qualifications failed to secure jobs because of their weak command of the English language,” the State Public Communications Unit quoted him as saying in a press statement.
Sagah was speaking at an English language symposium in Kuching.
He said Sarawak places equal importance on English and Bahasa Malaysia.
“That is why, on Oct 15 last year, Sarawak introduced compulsory English and Bahasa Malaysia proficiency assessments for all Year Six pupils,” he said.
He said the move meant that English and Bahasa Malaysia were placed on an equal footing in the state.
“We are introducing these dual-language proficiency assessments at the primary level while also emphasising the use of English within the community,” he said.
Sarawak is the first state in the country to introduce compulsory dual-language proficiency assessments for Year Six pupils.
