'Malaysians being overtaken by Thais in English speaking'

Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration director Professor Sundra Rajoo said English had become “the lingua franca in international commercial arbitration because it is the common language of trade”. Rajoo was speaking in support of former chief justice Tun Zaki Azmi, who called on Saturday for more and better use of English in the legal system to prevent Malaysia from being left behind on the international stage. 

“Even France and Germany, which have a developed legal language, use English in international agreements and contracts,” Zaki said. 

Sundra added that globalisation and harmonisation dominated international commercial arbitration.

“As a result, the number of international disputes submitted to arbitration has increased tremendously in recent decades.”

Former Bar Council chairman Lim Chee Wee agreed.

“In order to be an effective and persuasive advocate, the lawyer must have a good command of the English language.

“It is probably the unanimous view of all firms that the average standard of English among law graduates has deteriorated.”

From his experience in cross-border practice, he said Chinese, Indonesian and Thai lawyers have a command of English that is “as good as some of our better lawyers”.

Holding the government responsible for politicising education, Lim said it should help raise the standard of education so young Malaysians were better equipped to compete globally.