Delegates at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) 15th Conference here were in stitches when their president Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg shared stories of restroom and the phrase, 'Four Push Two' today.
He said when he was Sarawak Tourism Minister in the cabinet led by the fourth Chief Minister Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, he heard of a tour guide who undeliberately caused an English-speaking tourist a hard time due to his poor command of the language.
According to him, the tourist was asking the guide to show him the restroom as he needed to ease himself but instead, the tour guide led him to a sofa and said, "You can rest here."
"It was only after the tourist demonstrated to the tour guide that he could not hold it anymore and needed to ease himself that the guide realised what the tourist meant by restroom, which was actually the toilet," said Abang Johari.
The crowd at the Borneo Convention Centre where the conference was held was again drawn into laughter when the Sarawak Premier told them of a Bahasa Malaysia-educated teacher who was forced to teach Mathematics in English.
ABANG JOHARI-PBB (ENGLISH) 2 (LAST) KUCHING
Abang Johari said he was also a state minister in charge of education during Taib's administration where he was told that the teacher was not trained in the subject but had to take up the task as the mathematics teacher was on sick leave.
"This teacher had asked the students the answer for 'four push two', instead of saying subtract or minus as he didn't know how to say it in English," he said.
Abang Johari shared this when winding-up the three-day conference where he reiterated the need to have a good command of English without compromising the position of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language.
"English is important but we must have (good command in) of both (Bahasa Malaysia and English)," he said.
When opening the conference yesterday, he said the state government's decision for English to remain an official language in Sarawak alongside the national language was in line with the Federal Constitution.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Sun Jun 19 2022
Delegates at the PBB 15th Conference were in stitches when their president Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg shared stories of restroom and the phrase, 'Four Push Two' today. - BERNAMA
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.
Malaysia's inflation at 1.9 pct in Oct 2024 - DOSM
Malaysia's inflation rate for October 2024 has increased to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in September this year.
Saudi Arabia showcases Vision 2030 goals at Airshow China 2024
For the first time, Saudi Arabia is participating in the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition held recently in Zhuhai.
King Charles' coronation cost GBP 71mil, govt accounts show
The coronation of Britain's King Charles cost taxpayers GBP72 million (US$90 million), official accounts have revealed.
Couple and associate charged with trafficking 51.9 kg of meth
A married couple and a man were charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with trafficking 51.974 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.
PDRM to consult AGC in completing Teoh Beng Hock investigation
The police may seek new testimony from existing witnesses for additional insights into the investigation of Teoh Beng Hock's death.
Thai court rejects petition over ex-PM Thaksin's political influence
Thailand's Constitutional Court rejects a petition seeking to stop Thaksin Shinawatra from interfering in the running the Pheu Thai party.
Abidin takes oath of office as Sungai Bakap assemblyman
The State Assemblyman for Sungai Bakap, Abidin Ismail, was sworn in today at the State Assembly building, Lebuh Light.
UPNM cadet officer charged with injuring junior, stomping on him with spike boots
A cadet officer at UPNM pleaded not guilty to a charge of injuring his junior by stomping on the victim's stomach with spike boots.
How Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's alleged bribery scheme took off and unraveled
The indictment was unsealed on Nov. 20, prompting a $27 billion plunge in Adani Group companies' market value.
Elon Musk blasts Australia's planned ban on social media for children
Several countries have already vowed to curb social media use by children through legislation, but Australia's policy could become one of the most stringent.