PABM can uplift Malay language, enhance bonding - Najib

The Malay (Bahasa Melayu) Speech Competition (PABM) can uplift Bahasa Melayu and enhance bonding between people of different cultures, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

"PABM can also be a platform to enhance the essence of Bahasa Melayu and the Malay race itself to continue being relevant in the globalisation era," he said when officiating the PABM finals here on Friday.

Also present at the ceremony was his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.

Najib also said careful planning was needed to uplift Bahasa Melayu as a world language.

He said as a credible government, Malaysia would continue ensuring that Bahasa Melayu became the premier language in the country.

"Although space is given to English and other languages, the government will not budge from making Bahasa Melayu as the medium of instruction in the country," he said.

In his speech, the Prime Minister also said the government, through the Education Ministry, will offer international scholarships to three PABM winners in the international category.

"The scholarship is for them to continue studies at the masters and doctorate levels after they have met the academic conditions in the institutes of higher learning (of their choice)," he said.

He said the PABM would also introduce a new format by creating another category, for international students in institutes of higher learning in the country.

Eighty participants from 75 countries including Russia, Italy, Holland, Japan, Germany, Gambia, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, China, Australia, Korea and United States of America took part in the competition which began on April 22.