PUTRAJAYA: Civil servants stationed abroad who use foreign languages during their official work will have their monthly allowance increased, announces the Prime Minister. He said this was to encourage Malaysian diplomats to master foreign languages, in line with the need for language skill during diplomatic and trade negotiations. However, the Prime Minister did not indicate the type of allowance that would be increased. Ismail Sabri added that while mastering foreign languages is welcomed, there must be commitment to uphold Bahasa Malaysia and to prove the use of the language would in no way hinder progress. "During my involvement in international meetings, I had also used Bahasa Malaysia," he added.
