October 27, 2009 18:22 PM

Rais Urges Wider Usage Of Bahasa Malaysia In Private Sector

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Bahasa Malaysia should be used more widely in the private sector to further dignify the national language.

Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said currently Bahasa Malaysia usage in the banking and shipping industry, commerce and legal field was still at a low level.

In view of this, he said, the ministry with the cooperation of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) would carry out continuous campaigns to enculture Bahasa Malaysia usage as well as make it an appealing language.

"Eventually, the private sector will get used to using the national language and be proud of this," he told reporters opening a seminar on "Bahasa Malaysia Usage in the Public and Private Sectors" at Menara DBP, here, Tuesday.

Also present were the chairman of DBP Board of Governors Datuk Johan Jaafar and DBP director-general Datuk Termuzi Abdul Aziz.

Rais said at the Cabinet meeting on Oct 7, the ministers spoke on a number on matters that needed be given attention in line with the position of the Malay language as the national language.

Among them was that the leaders should communicate well and more often in the national language, including at official meetings, while it was also suggested that forums and conventions held in the country not be conducted in English.

Rais said each ministry and government agency would also be encouraged to use Bahasa Malaysia more widely to create a sense of oneness and make the 1Malaysia concept a success.

"The Education Ministry and my ministry were told to follow up on the issues raised at the Cabinet meeting to realise the objective of making Bahasa Malaysia truly the national language."

He said his ministry would also set up a unit with the task of enculturing Bahasa Malaysia to make it more progressive and effective as a language of knowledge.

He also said that championing Bahasa Malaysia as the national language should not only be the responsibility of the Malays, but the other races as well.

"Our national language can be the vehicle for racial unity and communication to facilitate the realisation of 1Malaysia involving all the communities in the country."

Rais said his ministry would also work with the private broadcasting stations to promote Bahasa Malaysia usage so that there would be uniformity in the standard and pronunciation.

-- BERNAMA

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