BUKIT MERTAJAM: Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) welcomed the police's initiative to conduct briefings in English in order to polish up the force's proficiency in the language.
Its senior vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the move was timely as it could boost the police's image., both local and internationally.
He said the initiative was also in line with the government's aim to turn Malaysia into a develop nation in the near future.
Lee said the government should also consider extending the initiative to other ministries, government agencies and departments.
"The use of English must be extended to all senior cops to ensure more effective two-way communication in the language. It should not be turned into an issue.
"Also, it (use of English) does not pose a threat to Bahasa Melayu, the national language. The use of English should be supported by all as it is now a global medium," he said today.
It was reported that senior police officers had been told to conduct briefings in English.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun had said that professional communication courses would be conducted at 14 police institutions nationwide.
This was in line with the need to ensure the police force is world class and in line with the wishes of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to see Malaysians increase their English proficiency.
Meanwhile, Lee said the proponents of the Malay language should instead raised the issue on the use of 'bahasa rojak' (mixed language), particularly in television and radio programmes', which he described as worrying.
He said it was now becoming a trend and widely accepted by society, giving a bad influence to the younger generation.
"In my opinion, the use of 'bahasa rojak' is unhealthy and must be seriously looked into rather than the use of English in the administration. This is because its use will erode the identity of the Malay language." he said.
On a separate matter, Lee, who is also National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) chairman, said private companies and government agencies should implement the Contractor Safety Passport (CSPS) system to ensure contractors and workers possessed basic knowledge on occupational safety and health before entering their workplace.
He said the implementation of the CSPS would make it mandatory for contractors to send their workers for courses in order to reduce accident at workplace.
Earlier, Lee met with some 100 NIOSH northern region customers and workforce.