<div dir="ltr"><br><br><b>Najib: Vernacular languages encouraged and will be supported</b><br><br>KUALA
LUMPUR: The use of vernacular languages, especially in the education
system, is encouraged in line with the national intention to promote
multicultural and multilingual policies, said the Prime Minister.<br><br>To
the Indian community, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said: “All necessary
assistance will be provided by the Government to the community to ensure
their language and culture will flourish.”<br><br>He added that
Malaysian students could learn Tamil from the pre-school level right up
to tertiary level. Currently, there are 523 Tamil primary schools in the
Malaysian education system.<br><br>“Tamil language and literature are
also taught in secondary schools, and students can pursue undergraduate
and post-graduate studies in Tamil language and literature at public
universities,” he said when launching the 9th International Conference
on Tamil Studies at Universiti Malaya here yesterday.<br><br>The conference brings together 1,500 scholars in Tamil studies from South Asia, North America, Europe and Australasia.<br><br>On
the subject of education, Najib said next year would mark 200 years
since the establishment of Tamil vernacular schools in Malaysia, a
milestone for the Indian community.<br><br>“In April this year, a new
Tamil primary school in Lunas will begin operations. “The
Government has also approved the setting up of six new Tamil primary
schools,” he said.<br><br>Najib also acknowledged the contributions of
the Indian community to the nation’s progress, and said the community
had also progressed in line with Malaysia’s growth.<br><br>“For example,
Malaysian Indians make up 11.1% of professionals in the country. Many
in the legal and medical professions are from the Indian community.<br><br>“There
are also many towering figures from the community who have made
significant contributions and achievements in education, business and
sports,” he said.<br><br>Najib, who also chairs the Cabinet committee on
the Indian community, said the Government had started many initiatives
for the community’s benefit.<br><br>“Malaysian Indians are the sons and
daughters of this soil and we will ensure they continue to progress and
safeguard their language and culture,” he said.<br><br>Speaking to
reporters after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting later, Najib
said all the factions in MIC have agreed to respect the moratorium
proposed by him to allow him and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to
think of the best way to resolve the party’s crisis.<br><br>Najib said MIC is an important component of Barisan Nasional.<br><br>“We need an MIC which is strong and which can help us in all aspects,” he said.<br><br>However he declined to comments on whether removing MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel was among the option being considered.<br><br>“We have to look first at what is the best formula.” he said.<br><br><a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/01/31/We-will-help-Tamil-schools-Najib-Vernacular-languages-encouraged-and-will-be-supported/" target="_blank">http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/01/31/We-will-help-Tamil-schools-Najib-Vernacular-languages-encouraged-and-will-be-supported/</a><br><a href="http://www.selliyal.com/?p=79555" target="_blank">http://www.selliyal.com/?p=79555</a><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature">=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+<br><br> Harold F. Schiffman<br><br>Professor Emeritus of <br> Dravidian Linguistics and Culture <br>Dept. of South Asia Studies <br>University of Pennsylvania<br>Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305<br><br>Phone: (215) 898-7475<br>Fax: (215) 573-2138 <br><br>Email: <a href="mailto:haroldfs@gmail.com">haroldfs@gmail.com</a><br><a href="http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/">http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/</a> <br><br>-------------------------------------------------</div>
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