‘Use Bahasa Melayu in all official dealings’

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LAWAS: Efforts to intensify the use of Bahasa Melayu – the national language in official dealings especially by government officials in the public sector – is not meant to hamper the development of other languages including English and other local languages.

Bukit Kota assemblyman, Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, said that government officials should understand the need to use the national language in writing official documents, meetings and other official functions.

“The emphasis on the national language is not to prevent the development of other languages.

“In fact, it is clearly stated in the policy that the emphasis is to use Bahasa Melayu in all their official dealings,” he said when launching the state-level ‘Kembara Bahasa’ in conjunction with the Bahasa Month 2013.

Director of the state Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Dr Amran Joned, Deputy Resident (Social) Hamidah Halpi, Lawas District Officer Hussaini Hakim and Penghulu Hasan Pilus were among those who attended the function.

Dr Rahman, who represented Lawas MP Hasbi Habobollah, added that there was no objection to the use of other languages and dialects in non -formal communication.

“To be multi lingual is an asset especially when accessing information worldwide,” he said, adding that countries like Japan, Korea, Taiwan, France, Germany and Russia which uphold their respective national languages should be emulated for their advancement in many fields such as the economy and technology.

“Malaysia can also progress with Bahasa Melayu as a language of knowledge and the economy.

“Bahasa Melayu is the symbol of an independent and progressive Malaysia. Thus, it is the responsibility of every Malaysian to nurture and develop the language,” he said.