KUALA LUMPUR NOV.28: Bahasa Melayu has become one of the 20 languages that have been categorized and recognized as official language and is the 10th most popularly used in the world today.
Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, as a Malaysian Family and having a “mother tongue language” everyone should be proud as in the midst of the strong usage of English language, Bahasa Melayu is still strong with its own rhythm and stays fresh in the global civilisation.
Ismail said, this situation does not happen to all the main languages in the world because some languages have disappeared due to the globalisation waves and some are facing diminishing threats.
“We should be thankful as this does not happen to Bahasa Melayu. This is the result of the strong unity in the Malay Archipelago consisting of Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam as the main supporters.
“With that it is not impossible if the number of Bahasa Melayu speakers in the world today has reached more than 300 million, widespread and subsequently the excellent Bahasa Melayu “lingua franca” era has returned,” Ismail said in his speech.
The Prime Minister spoke at the International Final Bahasa Melayu Speech (PABM) Prime Minister’s Trophy 2021 at Sultan Iskandar Hall (DSI), University Technology Malaysia (UTM) Johor Bahru here this evening.
Ismail said, PABM this time has witnessed the participants coming from various continents and the climax is nine finalists from three categories competing for the Prime Minister’s Trophy.
“The response of PABM 2021 is very encouraging with 100 participants from various local universities and higher learning institutions including the involvement of 36 countries in the world and this has proven that Bahasa Melayu is able to reach all corners of the globe,” Ismail said.
The Prime Minister also hopes that the PABM participants could help Malaysia to spread the beauty of Bahasa Melayu and continue to elevate the command of Bahasa Melayu when they return to their respective countries.
Ismail stressed that in the midst to ensure Bahasa Melayu continues to be used widely; it has become a trend in the government linked companies (GLC) and government agencies not to use Bahasa Melayu in their private programmes.
Ismail also pointed out that Bahasa Melayu is also not commonly used for company names, housing projects and name of products.
“I hope after this Bahasa Melayu should be used in every conference, meeting and others. Who else will elevate Bahasa Melayu but ourselves,” Ismail reiterated. –Malaysia World News
