CLAIMS that the Malay language is under threat in Malaysia have been dismissed by academics and policy analysts as politically motivated rhetoric, inconsistent with current realities and past administrative records.
Speaking in response to former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s recent assertion that the position of the Malay language and the Malays is being eroded under the MADANI Government, socio-political analyst Professor Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya said such claims were “merely a political strategy”.
Bernama cited him adding: “The MADANI Government is far more progressive and consistent in promoting Malay as the main language of administration and national discourse, in line with the provisions of the Federal Constitution.”
Awang Azman also noted the contradiction between Dr Mahathir’s latest remarks and his own policies during office, particularly the implementation of the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) in 2003.
“That policy was heavily criticised, including by the Movement to Abolish PPSMI, for undermining Malay as a language of knowledge and education,” he said.
He added that meaningful efforts to unite Malays must be based on inclusive principles and respect for Malaysia’s rich cultural and linguistic fabric.
Echoing this view, National Professors Council Fellow Professor Dr Azmi Hassan said this was not the first time Dr Mahathir had resorted to raising ‘Malay issues’ for political gain.
“There is no such thing as the Malay language being under threat. It is only a small minority who view Malay as unintellectual, but in reality, it is they who lack intelligence,” he said.
Azmi contrasted the current political climate with the tensions that arose in 2018 during Dr Mahathir’s administration, particularly over the government’s proposed ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and the Rome Statute—both of which triggered public unrest over perceived threats to Malay rights.
Meanwhile, Associate Professor Datuk Dr Shamrahayu A. Aziz of the Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia, reminded the public that the status of Malay as the national language and the rights of the Malays are constitutionally guaranteed.
“The King and the government are responsible for enforcing these provisions. If anyone claims that the government is not upholding them, they must provide clear and convincing evidence,” she said.
Shamrahayu added that such issues are often used as political talking points, but the constitutional position of the Malay language and the Malay community remains firmly protected.
She emphasised that every government bears the responsibility of ensuring these rights are continuously upheld, stating that failure to do so would go against the very spirit of the Federal Constitution. - June 6, 2025
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