Kuala lumpur: All resolutions resulting from the National Level Konvensyen 152, including measures to empower Bahasa Melayu in the country, will be reviewed by the National Education Council, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He emphasized the relevance of empowering Bahasa Melayu in the current situation and stated that its implementation is necessary.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid confirmed that the resolutions would be brought to the National Education Council for review. He highlighted the government's perspective that all resolutions are highly relevant to contemporary needs and must be implemented. He made these remarks after officiating at the closing ceremony of the convention at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), with the presence of Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and UiTM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Shahrin Sahib.
Earlier, Shahrin presented six convention resolutions. These include the establishment of the National Language Board under the Prime Minister's Department, the appointment of Bahasa Melayu attaches at every embassy under the supervision of the Foreign Ministry, and stipulating the use of 80 percent accurate and correct formative Bahasa Melayu content. Additionally, there are considerations for making Bahasa Melayu courses compulsory at all Public Institutions of Higher Learning, granting official recognition to Malay language and linguistic experts, and elevating the use of Jawi script across all Federal government agencies, Statutory Bodies, and Local Authorities.
Ahmad Zahid pointed out that the task of empowering Bahasa Melayu should not be solely placed on Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) and requires collaboration from all Malaysians. He noted that while policies exist, there is a lack of appreciation, as evidenced by the DBP's 2023 Language Audit, which showed only about 60 percent compliance by government agencies with the national language in official matters.
He further remarked that Bahasa Melayu is not threatened by foreign nations, but rather by the local attitude of being ashamed to use the national language on official platforms. Ahmad Zahid stressed the need for Bahasa Melayu to be restored as the language of knowledge, research, and innovation at higher education institutions, and for it to be the authoritative language in every government agency.
Under the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035, Bahasa Melayu is set to be elevated as the language of halal trade in the ASEAN region and the Islamic world, strengthening its position as the global halal economic lingua franca. In the digital era, he urged for Bahasa Melayu to continue thriving on digital platforms, advocating for the production of more software, scientific terms, and digital content in the national language to ensure its place in daily cyberspace life.