Do not promote Malay language just to earn votes - Kadir

KUALA LUMPUR : The promotion of Bahasa Malaysia or the Malay language at the global stage should not be at the expense of Malaysia's standing in the world.

Veteran journalist Datuk A. Kadir Jasin said when it comes to establishing the prestige of the language, it should not be limited to narrow nationalism or trying to be a hero to voters in the Malay heartlands.

"Being understood and respected globally for intelligence and substance is what diplomacy is all about.

"It's not about taking to the podium at the United Nations General Assembly to exhibit one's national language or dress," said Kadir in a Facebook post.

He added that unfortunately, in the intervening decades, Malaysia had lost much of that advantage as fewer and fewer of the ministers and diplomats are knowledgeable in global issues and are no longer proficient in English.

"This is made worse by the appointment of low level politicians as ambassadors," said Kadir.

Although he made it clear that he had nothing against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's efforts to promote the Malay language, he believed that both languages have a role to play in Malaysia's domestic and international relations.