RECENTLY, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak testified in court that the Prime Minister’s Office lacked officers proficient in English during his tenure, necessitating the engagement of a private company for writing services (“Najib denies using funds to boost his image”, The Star, Jan 15; online at bit.ly/star_najib). Coming from the country’s leader at the time, this statement is a damning indictment of the English proficiency and writing skills within our civil service, and it underscores the urgent need for reform.
A quick response from a senior retired civil servant in one of my chat groups suggested that officers should be sent on an intensive three-month writing skills training programme. While well-meaning, this oversimplified solution reflects a troubling mindset: that complex issues can be addressed with quick fixes. The reality is that improving language and writing proficiency requires more than attending a course. It demands dedication, daily practice, and a sustained effort to build and refine skills over time.
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