DBP Support Vital To Boost Malay Materials For ASEAN, China - Envoy

From Kisho Kumari Sucedaram

BEIJING, May 23  (Bernama) -- Continued support from Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) is vital in efforts to increase, diversify and provide Malay-language reading materials for international students, particularly in ASEAN countries and China.

Malaysia’s ambassador to China, Datuk Norman Muhamad, said the government remains committed to promoting the Malay language at the global level and stands ready to assist in its development.

“In conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship this year, I hope to see the wider use of the Malay language across the region as a means to strengthen ties in friendship, education, trade and cultural exchange,” he said at the opening ceremony and gala dinner of the 5th International Seminar on Translation, Language and Malay-Chinese Culture (SATBBMC V) here last night.

The biennial seminar is jointly organised by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), Education Malaysia Beijing, and DBP.

Addressing the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI), Norman said language learning institutions must seize the opportunity to integrate AI in teaching to make the process more interactive, efficient and widely accessible.

“This will spark greater interest among students to learn and master languages more effectively,” he added.

To date, 17 higher learning institutions in China offer Malay language programmes.

Norman said the growing presence of Malay studies reflects not only encouraging progress, but also symbolises the strong academic and educational ties between Malaysia and China over the past six decades.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Higher Education director-general, Datuk Prof Dr Azlinda Azman, said the ministry welcomes collaboration with other ASEAN nations to further promote Malay language and cultural studies across the region.

She also acknowledged BFSU’s longstanding role as a key bridge in educational diplomacy between Malaysia and China.

“History shows that BFSU began its Malay Studies programme in 1961, led by its founder, the late Professor Wu Zongyu, whose pioneering spirit continues to inspire to this day,” she said.

The event also saw the launch of a book titled “Selongkar Budaya, Bahasa dan Sosiologi dalam Terjemahan China-Melayu” (Exploring Culture, Language and Sociology in China-Malay Translation), a compilation of works by Malaysian and Chinese authors, officiated by the Malaysian ambassador.

-- BERNAMA