SHAH ALAM – The government will intensify monitoring of all international schools to ensure the proper teaching of the Bahasa Melayu to Malaysian students.
Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that some international schools have become lax in adhering to existing regulations, which mandate that all Malaysian students must learn the national language.
"Bahasa Melayu is the heartbeat of our national identity and the vessel of national thought that must continue to be nurtured in every citizen’s soul.
"It is not merely a language of communication, but a language of knowledge, culture, and unity," Anwar said while tabling Budget 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday.
The Prime Minister confirmed that the Education Ministry (MoE) will continue to uphold the Bahasa Melayu as the language of knowledge across all schools and education streams.
"We have observed negligence in implementation across 249 international schools.
"These schools must ensure the proper teaching of the Bahasa Melayu and national studies to all Malaysian students," he added.
Anwar highlighted that the revival of the ‘Hadiah Bahasa’ (Language Award) symbolises the government’s commitment under the Malaysia Madani framework to strengthen the national language as a symbol of dignity and cultural excellence.
At the same time, he affirmed that mastery of English will remain a priority in the national education system, from the primary level onward, in line with global demands.