Sabah To Step Up Efforts To Promote National Language In Digital Era

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- The Sabah state government will intensify efforts to promote the national language amid the challenges of digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI), including promoting its use in public spaces and official communications.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the efforts would also include promoting the art of pantun (Malay poetry) and Jawi script, conducting research on various languages and ethnic literature, and developing the book industry through works by local Sabah writers.

He said the younger generation, digital influencers and local creative industry players should leverage technological advances to encourage the use of the national language across various communication platforms.

“Multilingual proficiency is important to enhance the competitiveness of the younger generation, but this should not come at the expense of efforts to uphold the national language, particularly in social media communication,” he said at the launch of Sabah’s 2026 National Language Month (BBK) at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka office here today.

Also present were Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, Sabah Information Department director Jainisah Mohd Noor, and DBP Sabah branch director Jennitah Noordin.

Hajiji said freedom of expression across various platforms should be accompanied by courteous language, as good language reflects the maturity and dignity of a civilised society. This is in line with the Malaysia MADANI aspirations, which emphasise community values, sustainability, well-being, creativity, mutual respect and confidence.

He said the BBK 2026 theme, Bahasa Kita, Wajah Kita (Our Language, Our Identity), aligned with the spirit of Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa, which reminds the public that language is more than a means of daily communication, as it also reflects a community’s identity, sense of belonging, thinking and character.

He added that efforts to establish Kota Kinabalu as a City of Literature should be intensified through various language and literary activities to encourage public participation, particularly among young people.

Meanwhile, DBP deputy director-general (Policy) Mohd Salahuddin Mohamed, representing the DBP director, said National Language Month was a nationwide initiative to strengthen the position of the Malay language as the language of knowledge, administration, the economy and national unity.

He said the Malay language, as the national language, could help unite Sabah’s diverse ethnic groups and cultures, strengthening a shared sense of identity among Malaysians.

He added that programmes such as Malam Gema Sastera (MAGESAS), Malam Anugerah Pena Kinabalu (MAPENA) and the Sabah Chief Minister’s Best Book Award provided platforms to promote the Malay language and enliven literary activities in the state.

“Recognition of quality literary works is expected to encourage more writing and ensure that the experiences, thoughts, history and cultural values of Sabah’s communities continue to be documented and passed down through language and literature,” he said.

-- BERNAMA