SEPANG – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob promised he would use Bahasa Malaysia to uplift it at the international level and, true to his word, he delivered Malaysia’s national statement in the national language at the recently concluded 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Prof Datuk Seri Awang Sariyan, a linguist and chairman on the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) board of governors, said Ismail Sabri had not only elevated Bahasa Malaysia at the Asean level but also at the UN General Assembly, which is the world’s largest diplomatic convention.
It was the first time a Malaysian leader delivered a speech which touched on various international issues – including food security, climate change, and the conflicts in Ukraine, Myanmar, and Palestine – in the national language at the assembly attended by more than 150 world leaders.
“Alhamdulillah, the honourable Prime Minister has revived the glory days of Bahasa Melayu for us after waiting for 65 years since independence and since Malaysia or Malaya became a member of the UN,” he said.
In the past, Awang said the national language was recognised around the world and there were many old documents, letters, and trade agreements written in Bahasa Melayu and Jawi scripts, which proved that the language was widely accepted as a lingua franca even by the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, England, Persia, Arab countries, and India.
“English is important but our mother tongue is far more important as it shows our unity, our identity, and our pride,” said the linguist who has experience of working in other countries, such as China and Germany, that prioritise their own national language.
Meanwhile, Selangor Youth Council president Datuk Mohd Imran Tamrin said at the UN General Assembly, the prime minister made an appearance that carried a very clear message and brought a Malaysian identity by wearing the traditional baju melayu and delivering his speech in the national language.
He also expressed his appreciation to the prime minister for consistently voicing out on Malaysians’ behalf regarding Palestinian issues and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
A student from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Balqis Amal, meanwhile described the prime minister’s speech in the national language as a strong message that it is more than able to be elevated on the international platform.
“Lest we forget that Bahasa Melayu is the most widely used language in Malaysia and it is the language that all Malaysians are proud of,” she said. – Bernama, September 30, 2022
