[lg policy] Minister outlines measures to promote Malay Language

[Harold Schiffman]

Minister outlines measures to promote Malay Language
March 19, 2019

|     Rokiah Mahmud     |

MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Major General (Rtd)
Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful
Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin outlined the initiatives that are being
undertaken by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) in further
strengthening and cultivating the use of the Malay Language at the 15th
Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting yesterday.

Yang Berhormat Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin
Ihsan was responding to a question by LegCo member Yang Berhormat Haji
Umarali bin Esung, on the preservation of the Malay Language in Brunei.

“First of all, the implementa-tion of Malay Language Research in Brunei
Darussalam is carried out in three phases. The first and second phases are
targetted at the public, with a focus on four aspects that include the
usage and choice of the Malay Language through communication and mass
media; the respondents’ comprehension of the Malay Language policy; the
respondents’ proficiency in the Brunei-Malay dialect; and the future
prospects of the Malay Language.”

The minister then said that the number of respondents who chose Malay for
communications and mass media in the first phase was only 46.9 per cent,
while the second phase showed an increase of 62.7 per cent.

“This shows that the use of the Malay Language is still not comprehensive
in terms of communication, which needs to be improved within our society,”
he said.

Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Haji Umarali bin Esung
speaks during the 15th LegCo meeting. – RAHWANI ZAHARI

He added, “At this point, the MCYS is implementing a more comprehensive
third-phase measure, in which the research team will use a more detailed
methodology.

“It is hoped that the findings will reveal the extent of Malay Language
usage within the public and private work sectors such as correspondence,
meetings, organising events; the level of Malay Language proficiency among
pupils and students through interaction and grade achievement in the Malay
Language, Malay Literature and Islamic Knowledge in major examination; and
the extent to which the Malay Language is used and empowered through the
local media, radio and television.

“Hopefully, the initial report findings can be made by the end of this year
where further findings will be generated on an ongoing basis.

“Secondly, enhancing and monitoring the usage of the Malay Language and
Jawi script on signage with other related agencies, led by the Authority
for Building Control and Construction Industry (ABCi). From a monitoring
carried out by the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) in 2018, the
results showed that 11 signboards required correction.

“In 2018, the DBP also received more than 1,500 applications for the
appraisal of Jawi scripts in manuscripts, books, brochures and on
signboards.

“Thirdly, reviewing the requi-rements of the Malay Language Order, and the
setting up of a Language Board as mentioned [in a speech at a previous
LegCo session].”

“The fourth is finding young talent in creative writing. In recent years,
our ministry has aimed at increasing its key performance indicators (KPIs)
through the involvement of more young writers. This indicates that our
country must step up the efforts in encouraging more individuals –
especially youth – to be actively involved in writing, by means of
workshops and writing contests. For 2019, our ministry has planned three
special workshops for young writers.

“Fifth is the nurturing of awareness among schoolchildren on the importance
of using the Malay Language via Dudun Bahasa activities, roadshows and DBP
publications in primary and secondary schools across the country throughout
the year, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

“And sixth, continuous cam-paigns and activities to create awareness in the
preservation of the Malay Language among all levels of society, such as
roadshows, drives and contests.”

Last year, the DBP hosted 21 language-themed activities for the public.
This year, it will focus mainly on the development of libraries as
multi-activity centres to attract more visitors.

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 Harold F. Schiffman

Professor Emeritus of
 Dravidian Linguistics and Culture
Dept. of South Asia Studies
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305

Phone:  (215) 898-7475
Fax:  (215) 573-2138

Email:  haroldfs at gmail.com
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/

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