DBP dissatisfied with just average Malay language proficiency

KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) has expressed dissatisfaction with the level of proficiency and the use of Malay language mixed with English.

DBP director-general Datuk Abang Salehuddin Abang Shokeran said this could be seen especially in the official context, including during speeches and interviews.

"We emphasize the use of the Malay language in official situations, in speeches, correspondence and official government emails.

"In that context, the Malay language should be used with care.

"The problem in Malaysia, if we look at it in general, our society has not yet reached a level of good language use, not only the Malay language but also in English," he said when contacted Wednesday.

Abang Salahuddin had also previously said the love of a language was able to maintain the existence of the language for long periods without regarding the wide use of other languages, especially the Malay language, as a 'threat' to their identity.

He said it was not an offence for any race in this country to feel proud and honour their primordial culture, but at the same time, should be fair to not marginalize the use of the Malay language in everyday life.

He said it was time the people express full confidence in the Malay language to educate the community besides prioritizing its role of uniting all races and ethnic groups in the country.

Meanwhile, Language Specialist, Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Nik Safiah Karim explained the people seemingly was not proud of the Malay language as compared to citizens of foreign countries.

"In our country, there seems to be a kind of lack of desire to speak the national language and many are proud of the English language.

"The Malays themselves all use the English language in places they are not supposed to and in a matter of choosing the right terms, naming a project, program and building, most of our leaders whether in politics or society, would resort to English.

"There is excessive use of English as if there is no national language or as if the said persons do not master his own national language," she said.

In the meantime, Dr Nik Safiah did not deny the importance of English but not to the point of setting aside the Malay language.

She said that the position of the Malay language should be put in its proper place because of its status as the national language.

"I see only in Parliament (politicians) speak Malay, apologized when they say a few words of English but in other situations, in speeches, meetings, political and community leaders, officials and others, they give more importance to English," she said.