KUCHING: The people, especially the younger generation, must realise the importance of the national language as a medium to unite the people of all races, while at the same time playing their role to signify a developed state through appreciation of language and culture.
In pointing this out, Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said linguistic experts from the west had acknowledged the importance of language as part of an element to bond peoples of various races and ethnics.
“Look at countries such as China, France, Russia, England and Japan where their official language remains as the important element towards the unification of its people,” said Abang Johari at the Head of State Challenge Trophy ‘Forum Remaja’ and the launching of the 40th anniversary celebration of the state Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) at Balai Budaya, DBP headquarters here yesterday.
His text of speech was read by Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee.
According to Abang Johari, the younger generation in Sarawak should now be adding value to themselves as the country embraces the TN50 aspiration as outlined by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“The people should realise why the government puts so much effort towards mastering English and other languages as it will help our generations to be empowered by knowledge and technical skills on a global scale.
“However, at the same time, we should not overlook the importance of Bahasa Malaysia as what has been outlined in the Malaysian Constitution.
“This language acts as the medium to unite ideology, as a medium of unity and knowledge which has been spoken for thousands of years from as far as the Cocos in Australia, China and the African continent,” he said.
Abang Johari also called on teachers and schools to support events such as the forum as it is the best platform to promote the usage and development of the national language to a higher level.
“Literature, poems and theatre should be supported as a means of language development and we should look at it as a way towards the development of culture and community,” he said.
Also present at the event were DBP deputy director general Datuk Abang Salehuddin Abg Shokeran and state DBP director Dr Hazami Jahari.