Infrequent use of the Malay language is a cultural disaster

The tendency of the Malays including government officials and even ministers who seldom use the Malay language fully will lead to a serious cultural disaster, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

It was even more unfortunate when there were Malays who considered mixing the Malay language with the English language as a status symbol in the new century, he said.

He said that in the new cyber world with sophisticated technology and the cyber age, the people frequently missed the target and at times found it difficult to differentiate the original language from the non-original.

"As a result, life becomes complex, sometimes mechanical and robotic. Frequently, the language also becomes frivolous.

"The language has been mixed up and many Malays are no longer fluent in their own mother tongue," he said at the 5th Perak Arts Prize Giving ceremony, here last night at Pulau Pangkor. - BERNAMA