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Steps to elevate the status of the Malay language as the
national language |
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The Malay language is a standardized form of Malay that has been adapted
according to the rules of the Language and Literature Bureau as the national
language of Malaysia. In 2007, the Malaysian government decided to change the
use of the Malay language to Bahasa Malaysia to instill a sense of unity among
the diverse population of Malaysia. If we look back at history, Bahasa Malaysia
was once a lingua franca, or a trading language, used by traders during the
height of the Malay Sultanate of Malacca. Where is the dignity of the language
that was once spoken by almost all the world's traders who traded in Malacca? We
should investigate the steps that need to be taken to elevate Bahasa Malaysia's
status in our country.
One of the steps that can be taken to elevate the status of Bahasa Malaysia is
to ensure that official affairs such as correspondence use Bahasa Malaysia. This
action should be implemented at all levels of government departments, agencies,
state governments, local authorities, and village development and security
committees. This is because it shows that Bahasa Malaysia is the official
language used in administrative matters in this country. Some government
departments and agencies prefer to use English in communication and branding
campaigns, among others. This behavior can be likened to forgetting one's roots
because it seems to neglect the language that shapes their thinking and
identity. Therefore, every civil servant and anyone who works under the
Malaysian government should use Bahasa Malaysia in most matters, especially
official matters, as an example to the public to practice it among themselves.
Furthermore, Bahasa Malaysia can be elevated to a higher level by abolishing
vernacular schools. We can see the effects of the establishment of vernacular
schools today, where there are Malaysian citizens who are not fluent and are
unable to speak Bahasa Malaysia. This situation is unhealthy for our country,
which has been independent for a long time and has been living among a diverse
society. Imagine if our children cannot communicate with the Chinese and Indian
communities because of language barriers, how can they get to know and respect
each other? Language is a fundamental agent of unity and should be nurtured and
strengthened from an early age. Just like the Malay proverb says, "Bend the
bamboo while it is still young." In conclusion, the unity among races and
nations in the country is still intact, but issues of racism remain a
controversial topic until today, and by unifying primary school institutions, it
can undoubtedly shape stronger unity.
In addition, the publication of books, reading materials, songs, and digital
content that use Bahasa Malaysia should be encouraged. The publishing industry's
sluggishness is seen to be getting slower because of today's technological
revolution, and it needs to be adapted immediately. Previous generations were
presented with verses of poetry and lyrics from poets who could inject a sense
of patriotism for themselves and the country. However, this has disappeared due
to the progress of time. Today's society no longer has knowledgeable platforms
that can instill a love for the country and other noble values. Instead, we are
presented with dramas and entertainment that only bring laughter and do not
shape the minds of society towards a better direction. This perception and
culture should be realized by all parties and begin to act towards changing to
more beneficial things. For example, previous generations in the East Coast had
the art of shadow puppetry, which highlighted current issues and provided
teachings to the audience who watched. |
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