The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, has stated that any new education system established in Malaysia must prioritize Bahasa Melayu as the main language and encompass the country’s history.
The statement was delivered during the opening of the First Meeting of the Fifth Term of the 15th Parliament, emphasizing that the education system is an important foundation for building identity, unity and the future of the country.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to launch the National Education Development Plan (RPN) 2026–2035 on Tuesday, January 20. The plan is expected to outline a comprehensive strategic direction for the country’s education ecosystem, covering the school level to institutions of higher learning.
Sultan Ibrahim stressed that any education reform must be in line with the National Education Policy, with Bahasa Melayu remaining the main language of instruction in schools in line with its position as the national language.
The assertion came as the debate regarding the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) has returned to the spotlight, following the Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) insistence that the certificate be officially recognized.
The issue was also linked to the performance of the coalition government in the recent Sabah state election and the backlash from groups concerned about the position of the Malays.
In a related development, Sultan Ibrahim also called on the government to immediately enact laws related to national security and external threats to ensure social harmony and protect national sovereignty.
His Majesty emphasized the increase in modern threats involving digital security, information integrity and technology such as deepfake which has the potential to trigger fraud and undermine social stability.
Issues of serious crime, terrorism and matters related to the 3Rs involving royal institutions, race and religion were also emphasized to be dealt with firmly and effectively.
Sultan Ibrahim also welcomed efforts to strengthen the legal framework related to elections, democratic institutions and political financing, including proposals to limit the prime minister's term, separate the roles of the attorney general and public prosecutor, the introduction of the Freedom of Information Act and the establishment of the Ombudsman Act.
