Strengthening English language skills is crucial to enhancing Malaysia’s long-term competitiveness in global supply chains, unlocking opportunities and fostering innovation, says the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (Amcham).
In a statement to Bernama, Amcham CEO Siobhan Das called on stakeholders to invest further in English language education and training to ensure that Malaysia remains an attractive destination for investors, multinational corporations and global talent.
“English is not just a skill, it’s a strategic business imperative for innovation and growth in the region,” she said.
“Looking ahead, companies anticipate that the importance of English will continue to increase over the next five years, driven by globalisation and workplace digitalisation.”
A recent survey by Amcham showed that nearly 40 companies regard English proficiency as essential for success in the Malaysian workplace.
It said nearly all respondents rated the use of the English language as “very important”, and most reported that up to 100% of their workforce use English daily for communication, reporting, training, and presentations.
It also said that beyond day-to-day operations, proficiency in English is viewed as a key driver of career advancement, facilitating international collaboration, professional networking, and increased access to global opportunities.
Additionally, English proficiency also plays a decisive role in hiring and promotion decisions, positioning it as a key factor in the career growth of local talent within multinational organisations.
As global organisations, Siobhan said their members rely on English to unify diverse teams, ensure clarity in client communications, and open opportunities for Malaysian talent to thrive in international roles.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on the education ministry to intensify efforts to improve English language proficiency, describing it as critical to Malaysia’s global competitiveness.
“We must recognise that English proficiency is extremely important. The ministry must redouble its efforts to strengthen mastery of the language,” he said at an AmBank event.
While he stressed the importance of Malay as the national language, Anwar said Malaysia’s success depends on inclusive policies that protect and value all communities, adding that multilingualism should also be encouraged.
