Kuala Lumpur: Experts have described the allegation that the Malay language is being sidelined under the MADANI Government as unfounded and contradictory to the administration's ongoing efforts to strengthen the national language's status. Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Professor Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi views the MADANI Government as more progressive and consistent in promoting Malay as the primary medium of administration and national discourse, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Awang Azman commented on a statement made yesterday by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who alleged that the Malay language and the position of the Malays are facing mounting threats under the current government. He noted that the claim is merely a political strategy and inconsistent with Dr Mahathir's own administrative history, particularly when he introduced the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) policy in 2003, which was met with significant backlash.
Awang Azman stated that calls to unite the Malays must be accompanied by concrete actions consistent with the principles of justice, inclusivity, and respect for Malaysia's cultural and linguistic diversity. National Professors Council Fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan echoed this view, highlighting that this is not the first time Dr Mahathir has used the 'Malay issue' to advance his political objectives.
"There is no such thing as the Malay language being under threat," said Azmi Hassan, indicating that it is only a small minority who view Malay as unintellectual, whereas the situation is more stable than during past controversies like the ICERD issue and the Rome Statute recognition in 2018.
Meanwhile, Associate Professor Datuk Dr Shamrahayu A. Aziz from the International Islamic University Malaysia stressed that the rights of the Malays, including the status of the Malay language as the official language, are enshrined in the Federal Constitution. She emphasized that the government and the King have a duty to uphold these provisions and that claims of neglect must be backed by clear evidence.
Shamrahayu underscored the historical use of Malay rights as a political argument by various parties, affirming that such rights remain protected by the Constitution. She insisted that any failure to uphold these rights would contradict the spirit of the Constitution.