KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been urged to issue a directive that Bahasa Melayu is used in all official government dealings.
Umno's Strategic Communications Unit, in a statement, said this is necessary to placate the anger arising from Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng’s use of Mandarin in a recent ministry statement.
It said Section 2 of the National Language Act states that the ‘national language must be used in official matters’, which is taken to mean that Bahasa Malaysia, or Bahasa Melayu as stated in the Constitution, should be used in all government matters.
The use of English, said the unit, is permitted when necessary, including for the purpose of translation or to explain international policies as well as the government’s stand.
“The use of Bahasa Malaysia is also in line with Article 152(1) of the Federal Constitution, which states that Bahasa Melayu is the national language.
“The use of Mandarin for official government statements, including media releases, not only appears to challenge those who uphold the official language but also puts a damper on efforts to unite the people through language,” it said.
“Why is Mandarin being used for official government statements? What about other languages in the country such as Tamil, Punjabi, Iban, Javanese, Kadazan and others?
“The PH government has to be more sensitive and careful in such matters, and not allow itself to be viewed by the people as being disrespectful to core matters in the Federal Constitution,” it said.
Meanwhile, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Ethnic Studies Institute senior fellow Professor Datuk Dr Teo Kok Seong said Article 152 of the Federal Constitution clearly states that the official language for all government communications is Bahasa Melayu.
“You can use other languages for other purposes, but for official government business, Bahasa Melayu must be used. Other languages can be used to teach, but Article 152 clearly states that no other language but Bahasa Melayu should be used for official government business.
“To me, the government must use Bahasa Melayu as this is the official language (of the nation and the government)... there is only one official language.”
Teo said issuing a statement in Mandarin was different from using English as the latter language was an international one.
“The status of English is a different one altogether. English is an international language used in diplomatic dealings and those done outside the country.
“So, that is the reason we use English... it is used to communicate with foreigners,” he said.
Meanwhile, Perlis Mufti, Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin reminded the Federal leadership to preserve the identity of the national language.
Via a Facebook posting, Asri said Malaysia’s national language has always been a part of the nation’s identity.
“This country has its own identity. The national language is Bahasa Melayu. There has been no problems with the national language all this while.
“It is not the source of division but a factor for unity in our country,” he said.
Indonesia, he said, uses Bahasa Indonesia as its national language despite it having a multitude of cultures.
“Every Indonesian is fluent in their national language.
“The Federal government must remember that if an identity that unifies the people is smeared, then it is an indication that trouble and strife will affect the country,” he said.
Report by SITI A’ISYAH SUKAIMI, LUQMAN ARIF ABDUL KARIM, SUZANNA PILLAY and DZIYAUL AFNAN ABDUL RAHMAN
Get the latest World Cup 2018 scores, highlights and updates from our dedicated news page. Click here
