SHAH ALAM, Jan 19 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, said those who refuse to accept the Malay language should not be living in the country, as he emphasised the importance of the national language in the education system.
In his royal address at the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 15th Parliament, Sultan Ibrahim said the country’s education system must be strengthened to build national identity, character, and the future of Malaysia.
“If we want to implement a new education system, it must be aligned with the National Education Policy, and Bahasa Melayu must be the main language as it is the national language.
“Therefore, any proposal to recognise an alternative education system must accept Bahasa Melayu and Malaysia’s history. Those who do not accept Bahasa Melayu are better off not living in Malaysia,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat here today.
The King’s comment comes amid renewed calls by certain parties for the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) to be given recognition under the national education system.
On January 14, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said any recognition of education certificates, including the UEC, must align with the Federal Constitution and national education philosophy.
In his royal address, Sultan Ibrahim also highlighted the importance of strengthening Malaysia’s legal and democratic institutions to safeguard the nation’s governance and future.
“I welcome efforts to strengthen laws related to democratic institutions and political financing.
“This includes measures to limit the prime minister’s term to two terms or 10 years, separate the roles of the Attorney-General and public prosecutor, introduce a Freedom of Information Act, and establish an ombudsman.”
On January 5, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government would table a Bill to limit the prime minister’s term of office to no more than 10 years or two full terms during the upcoming Dewan Rakyat session, as part of the Madani government’s ongoing institutional reform agenda.
“Everyone has a term limit, it cannot extend to decades. This applies not only to the Chief Secretary to the Government, but to all.
“If given that period and it can be implemented, after that it is best that we hand it over to the next generation,” he said during the Prime Minister’s Department Monthly Assembly and 2026 New Year Address.
