KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s efforts to promote Bahasa Malaysia have stirred up comments among Indonesian netizens, especially strong reactions against those who oppose the idea.
This comes amid speculation that neighbouring Indonesia may not welcome Ismail Sabri’s proposal to have Bahasa Malaysia as the region’s second language.
Twitter user @TSDMujeebudeen alleged that Indonesia objected to Malaysia’s efforts, claiming that it was because Bahasa Indonesia speakers far outnumber Bahasa Malaysia.
He added that Indonesia has a population of 279 million compared to about 5.5 million Malays in the republic.
However, such comments were slammed with some netizens saying that both languages share many commonalities.
A Twitter user known as Artha Prafana said Malaysia has every right to present that proposal to its Asean counterparts.
“Malaysia has a right to make the proposal. Even though most Asean countries might not agree, it is more important that we still have a good relationship.”
Twitter user @Indyulita, meanwhile, said although Bahasa Malaysia was once widely used, many Malaysians now prefer to converse in English.
“According to history, Malay is a language that was widely used in olden times. But now not all Malaysians are fluent in Malay, English is your main language.
“Although our language is from the same roots, the difference is that all Indonesians are able to speak Bahasa Indonesia.”
Another user going by Jaz Jedi has questioned the veracity of the earlier claims, saying there has yet to be an official statement from Indonesia.
Earlier, Indonesia news site detik.com, reported that National Agency for Language Development and Cultivation chief Prof Endang Aminudin Aziz said the use of Bahasa Malaysia in Indonesia is more of a district language and not used nationally.
He, however, did not mention that Indonesia has plans to reject Malaysia’s proposal.
Yesterday, Ismail Sabri said Malaysia and Indonesia would continue efforts to uplift the status of Bahasa Malaysia and thanked Indonesian President Joko Widodo for his support.
The prime minister said this at a joint press conference with Widodo after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Indonesian domestic helpers. – The Vibes, April 2, 2022
