MIRI - No other country is allocating such a high percentage of the National Budget to education as Malaysia, said Prime Minister, Pehin Sri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad.

Speaking at the official opening of the new SMK Chung Hua Miri buildings cum 50th anniversary celebration yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister added: "Malaysia allocates over 20 percent of its yearly budget to education and there is no other country in this world which invests such a huge amount on education."

He pointed out that besides the government, successful entrepreneurs and caring members of the community also invested heavily on education.

"Education has been given top priority in Malaysia," Dr Mahathir added.

He attributed the ability of many Malaysians to speak various languages, especially Malay, English and Mandarin, to the success of the education system.

He urged the people not only to learn different languages but also to master them, particularly English which was vital for global communication.

"By mastering the language of the successful people, we will be able to learn the key to their success and be successful ourselves," he said.

Dr Mahathir also advised students not only to excel in their studies but also to adopt good values which would be vital to success, such as discipline.

"Many successful people failed because of the lack of discipline, which led them up the wrong path and caused them to regret in their latter days," he said. Present at the ceremony were Datuk Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Datuk Amar Puan Sri (Dr) Hajah Laila Taib, Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Tan Sri Dr George Chan and Datuk Amar Tan Sri Alfred jabu, Deputy Education Minister, Dato' Aziz bin Shamshuddin, SMK Chung Hua's Executive President, Tan Sri Dato' Paduka 'Ping Pek Kiing and wife, Dato' Paduka Chai Yu Lan, who is also SMK Chung Hua's President and the Chairman of SMK Chung Hua Board of Director, Dato' Lee Teck Fook.