Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has pointed out that the government will not sideline the Malay language but will instead continue to empower the language and elevate it to reach the international platform.
He hoped the Malay language would become a main language in the Asean region as well as emerge as a major medium of instruction at the global level in the run up to the National Transformation 2050 (TN50).
"The position of the Malay language will continue to be empowered when Malaysia is grouped among the 20 most successful nations in the world,” he said at the Final of the Prime Minister’s Trophy for the Malay Language International Oratory Competition (PABM) 2017 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), tonight.
Also present were the prime minister’s wife, Rosmah Mansor and Higher Education Minister Idris Jusoh.
Najib also hoped that the command of the Malay language would continue to be the symbol of the people’s resilience as well as in the daily context through the correct use of the language, especially in the social media.
“When we use social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and SMS, the use of grammar and spelling are frequently haywire or incorrect.
"I hope we do not follow this trend which actually erodes the position of the Malay language,” he said.
Najib also reminded everyone of the challenges present in the era of the information and communication technology including the eve of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Digital Economy which has now made the world more interesting and challenging.
He said everyone should take the initiative in the open cyber space to spread and promote further the Malay language as the main language which was dynamic and continued to be relevant, moving in tandem with the progress of the digital economy.
Najib said the use of the Malay language among the people in the country was carried out in a planned and proper manner that was inclusive besides helping and complementing the other major languages, including the English language without having to ‘eliminate’ and ‘sideline’ it.
"The Malay language has become the vehicle in formulating solidarity in this country. As a nation that is made up of various communities, the Malay language has all this while, become the bond in building a peaceful, orderly and prosperous country,” he said.
Najib also urged every participant of the PABM to continue to learn the Malay language without being bored.
"We consider all of you as our young ambassadors in empowering the Malay language not merely in their respective country but also to the whole world,” he said.
A total of 53 participants from 35 countries took part in the PABM which was entering its 11th edition with the theme "Pengantarabangsaan Bahasa Melayu" (The Malay language As A Medium Of Instruction) with the concept of empowering the Malay language in the eyes of the world.
The competition was divided into three categories namely the International Category, the Malay World (formerly known as the Nusantara category) and International Students in Malaysia (PAM).
The PABM, which was mooted by Najib, is an annual event organised by the Higher Education Ministry in collaboration with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), University of Malaysia Debating Council (Madum) and University of Malaysia Cultural Council (Makum).
-- Bernama
