Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today urged government agencies, government-linked companies (GLCs) and the private sector to use Bahasa Melayu instead of English at their events.
Ismail said this is to ensure the Malay language continues to grow.
“Currently, it has become customary not to use the Malay language at private programmes, even among GLCs and government agencies.
“English is used at GLC and government agency meetings; company names, housing projects and product brands are all in English instead of Bahasa Melayu.
“I hope every conference, meeting and product names will use the Malay language after this. Who will honour the Malay language if not us?” he said in a report by Berita Harian.
Ismail was speaking at the opening of the Malay Language International Speech (PABM) Prime Minister’s Cup 2021, at the Sultan Iskandar Hall of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Johor, last night.
Ismail told the audience the government was committed to upholding the Malay language.
“We want to raise the glory of Bahasa Melayu by making it the language of knowledge and the international language of the 21st century.
“For that, the government strongly encourages the implementation of language and literature programmes and activities that can further inspire love for the Malay language.
“The National Language Act 1963/67 (Act 32) also states that the national language must be used for official business purposes.”
The prime minister said there are more than 6,000 languages in use today but only 20 have official language status.
He said Malaysians should feel proud because Malay is among the 20 official languages of the world.
“As Malaysians and owners of the language, we should feel proud because in the midst of strong English proficiency, the Malay language remains powerful in setting its own rhythm and continues to flourish on the stage of world civilisation.” – TMI