KUALA LUMPUR – The efforts of caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to promote Bahasa Malaysia on the international stage, sets him apart from past leaders, given the added value in promoting the nation’s image globally.
Several academicians when contacted by The Vibes’ sister portal Getaran said the move by the caretaker prime minister to present his speech in the national language during an event at the United Nations (UN) can be viewed as a laudable initiative.
According to them, the move increases the confidence and enthusiasm of Malaysians to promote the role of the language at the national and international levels.
Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) board chairman Datuk Seri Awang Sariyan opined the caretaker prime minister’s move to speak in his mother tongue in conjunction with the global event was indeed quite good.
According to him, it is because since Malaysia achieved independence and became a member of the UN, this is the first time the main leader of the country has spoken in the national language at the UN General Assembly.
“The caretaker prime minister’s step is very significant in building continuity and standard of Bahasa Malaysia as a global language during the Malay sultanate for hundreds of years around the 15th century, until the 19th century.
“At that time Malay became the language of international trade and the language of diplomacy.
“All letters and agreements with foreign governments such as the Netherlands, Portugal and England were written in Malay, under the Jawi script.
“Dutch scholars such as Van Linschoten and Francois Valentyn equated the level of the Malay language in the Malay region to the level of Latin and French in Europe,” he said.
Ismail Sabri previously made history as Malaysia’s first prime minister, speaking entirely in the national language at the largest diplomatic gathering in New York, United States.
Awang added that the effort must be continued in all international events so that there are no assumptions or allegations that the move is just a political gimmick.
Most importantly, he added, was Ismail Sabri’s move to launch the post-pandemic Foreign Policy Framework and Cultural Diplomacy, which is a pivotal framework of policies.
“Under cultural diplomacy, one of the important aspects is the internationalisation of Bahasa Malaysia,” he said.
Meanwhile, fellow in the National Council of Professors, Prof Datuk Teo Kok Seong, said Ismail Sabri’s actions are in line with the country’s aspirations and should be emulated by other leaders, including those in the cabinet.
He also opined that Ismail Sabri’s efforts have created a beautiful and significant history for the country.
However, he added, that kind of commitment cannot be on a one-time or a “one-off” basis but should be continued by whoever becomes prime minister subsequently.
“This is because this is a national aspiration, meaning it is the identity of the country and our people,” he said.
Kok Seong also expressed concern should the momentum started by Ismail Sabri not be continued by the next leader in the future.
“I would not be satisfied because I am worried that if the 10th prime minister is someone else, he will not continue the national aspirations.
“So, the use of our language on the international stage is more of a national aspiration.
“I am quite worried that another prime minister, even if he is a Malay, does not pursue national aspirations. That possibility is there,” he added. – The Vibes, November 10, 2022
