Background.

Malaysia is real multi-ethnics country (Asmah 1985). In order to unify the nation, a national education system with Malay language as the medium of instruction is being adopted for all primary and secondary schools throughout the nation (Raja Menan, 2010). This medium of instruction is based on the Razak Report done in the year of 1955 which endorsed the concept of a national education system based on Malay (the national language). Later, in section 3 of the National Education Ordinance of 1957, the concept above by Razak was reproduced. It stated that A national system of education acceptable to the people of the Federation [of Malaya] as a whole which will satisfy their needs and promote their cultural, social, economic and political development as a nation, having regard to the intention to make Malay the national language of the country while preserving and sustaining the growth of the language and culture of other communities living in the country. Since then, Bahasa Malaysia (previously known as Malay language) is used solely as the medium of instruction in Malaysian education (The Razak Report, 1955).Surprisely, in 2002, the forth prime minister of Malaysia Tun Dr. Mahathir Muhammad, announced that English language will be used as the medium of instruction for the teaching of mathematics and science subjects in all primary and secondary schools. The policy which uses English as the language of instruction for the teaching of Mathematics and Science (PPSMI known in Bahasa Malaysia) was implemented in the national (Primary), secondary school and vernacular primary schools (Tamil and Chinese national-type schools). The policy was implemented in phases and eventually it covered all standards and forms in the primary, secondary and post-secondary classes in 2008.The introduction of English as a medium of instruction in mathematics and science replacing the Malay language has been considered an effort in responding to the emergence of English as a global language in the era of globalization. It is clear that English is now well-established worldwide and Malaysia has to keep track of current global patterns or risk losing its competitive edge in the global economic growth. Moreover, it has been transformed by the massive boost in the flow of information in English via information and communications technology, as well as a new economic emphasis of turning this information into productive knowledge. Besides that, proficiency in English is an important aspect of human capital growth, particularly in the areas of science and technology. Thus, the execution of the policy of teaching mathematics and science in English is along side with the current development and which in turn would assist to strengthen the Malaysian students proficiency in English, thus permitting them to access fresh frontiers of information in these two subjects. Based on all the factors above, PPSMI has received overwhelming response by many people who wanted a change in the national education system. (Raja Menan, 2010)

The policy of teaching and learning mathematics and science in English which was earlier thought to enhance the Malaysians English language proficiency was abolished. All students who entered Form One in secondary school in 2011 would be taught mathematics and science in bilingual. Instead, the move has made the national language, Bahasa Malaysia to be fully used in the teaching of mathematics and science starting from 2013. Thus, English language is now no longer the medium of instruction in teaching and learning of mathematics and science will effective from 2015 and onward.

Statement of Problem.

From the year of 2003 till 2010 PPSMI (English Teaching for Mathematics and Science) is a policy used to acknowledge the use of English as the medium of instruction in teaching and learning of mathematics and science in schools. The introduction of MBMMBI (Memartabatkan Bahasa Malaysia dan Memperkukuhkan Bahasa Inggeris) in 2011, a new education policy which uses bilingual; English and Bahasa Malaysia (national language) for teaching mathematics and science has replaced PPSMI. According to some quarters, this change of medium of instruction has created many problems. The study investigates possible problems faced by the students due to the change of medium of instruction.

Students especially from rural schools are believed to have problems in learning Mathematics and Science in English due to their lack of English language profiency. Students who are non-proficient in English are negatively affected by the policy and moreover, and are said to be on the losing end as it is difficult for them to cope with English (Faizah, 2006). This affects the students achievement grades in mathematics and science subjects, especially in the public examinations; Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR), Peperiksaan Menengah Rendah (PMR), Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM). Besides that, the policy also is believed to affect the students interest to learn mathematics and science in English.

However, there are also problems when both English and Bahasa Malaysia are be used as the medium of instruction. Proficient learners who have good command in English and have learnt Mathematics and Science in this language have said to be de-motivated. Besides learning mathematics and science, they now have to learn the terms in Bahasa Malaysia which they are less proficient in (Raja Menan, 2010). Learning a language is beneficial, only when one practices it frequently. PPSMI is a platform for students to have more practice in the English language. Via PPSMI, students will practice reading and writing in the English language. However, this scenario is no longer a reality since the medium of instruction has changed. Obviously, students who had experienced using English in the classroom during PPSMI were expected to use it frequently outside the classroom. They extended their usage at home while speaking to parents or siblings, discussing their homework with friends, reading English books and listening to English songs. However, the new policy (MBMMBI) may change the scenario totally. This could lead to English language deterioration among students. This study investigates the implications of the change of medium of instruction towards the students English language usage.

Objective of the studyThere are three objective of this study. The objectives are to identify and investigate about:1. The element that takes into consideration to construct the language policy.2. The students readiness to face the bilingualism in their study.3. The policy effects to the students results.Research Questions.The aim of this study is to answer the three specific questions as listed below:1. Does the students perception will be taken into consideration in constructing the current language policy?2. Are the students are able to face/experience the bilingualism in their study?3. How the current language policy will affect the examination result (outcome) of the students?Significance of researchThe research must be done to ensure that whether students perception is one of the elements which will be taken into consideration by the policy maker in constructing a new/current policy in education. Then it will find out if the students readiness: the students are able to face the bilingualism in their study and the outcome of the students which affected by the current language policy. Literature Review

Our forth Prime Ministry stated his reason on why PPSMI must be applied in Malaysian education. He said: Education is for the purpose of acquiring knowledge. The most important thing is the acquisition of knowledge. If you have to use a language which makes the knowledge more easily accessible, you should use that language. Historically, the Europeans learnt Arabic in order to access the knowledge of the Arabs [] but because of their work they also learnt Greek in order to access the language and knowledge [] so if you want knowledge you have to acquire the language in which the knowledge is available.Our education system is like any other education system. Its meant to enable us to acquire knowledge. If we have the knowledge available in the national language, by all means, go ahead but the fact is that in science the research that is being done is moving at a very fast pace. Everyday literally thousands of papers on new research are being published and practically all of them are in English. To translate English into Bahasa, would require a person with 3 skills. Skill in the 2 languages and skill in the subject that is to be translated and we dont have very many people who are qualified to do so that or who wish to do that. That is why it is easier if you learn English and the students can have direct access to all the knowledge that is available in English (Interviewed conducted by Saran Kaur Gill, June 16th, 2005).However, in 2010, the sixth Prime Minister, Dato Sri Najib Tun razak declared that the bilingual mode, Bahasa Malaysia and English as a medium of instruction for teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science in schools. The Ministry of Education (2010) has released a report entitled Memartabatkan Bahasa Malaysia & Memperkukuhkan Bahasa Inggeris (MBMMBI), stated that the change was made due to several reasons: 1) the result of the public examination; Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR), Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) revealed that both students from rural and urban schools had done well in Bahasa Malaysia compared to English, 2) there was a huge gap between rural schools and urban schools achievement in science and mathematics, 3) the findings from UNESCO (stated in MBMMBI report) show that students would be able to learn faster using their mother tongue in their early education.The research had shown that the level of English among students were still not satisfactory after the introduction of the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English policy (PPSMI) in recent years. This is the Basic reason why we need to introduce MBMMBI to replace PPSMI. MNMMBI is a two-pronged policy which will not be disadvantages to either defenders or opponents of PPSMI but rather strike a balance between Bahasa Malaysia and English (Minister in Chief Ministers Department, Datin Fatimah Abdullah, The Star September 13th, 2011).

PPSMI was earlier thought in enhancing Malaysians English proficiency was abolished. In year 2011, all form one students in Malaysian secondary schools would be taught in bilingual the both subjects of mathematics and science. Instead, the move has made the national language, Bahasa Malaysia to be fully used in the teaching of mathematics and science starting from 2013. Thus, English is now no longer functioning as a medium of instruction in teaching and learning of mathematics and science starting from 2015 and onwards.The decision to reverse the PPSMI policy is also in line with Article 152 of the Malaysian constitution which ensure the freedom to teach and learn in other language, include English, Chinese and Tamil ( NST, October 11, 2010)The Deputy Prime Minister also stated that,

Now we, provide some flexibility by using Bahasa Melayu

and English in teaching Science and maths, so lessons are not

entirely in English. (Star 7th November 2006)