PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has reprimanded government agencies, government-linked companies and the private sector for prioritising the use of English over Bahasa Melayu at their events, meetings, and conferences, and on their products.
Ismail told these agencies and firms to use Bahasa Melayu widely in programmes organised by them, according to a Harian Metro report.
The Umno vice-president said it was their responsibility to uphold the dignity of the Malay language, as no one could do that apart from the people of the land.
“It has become a trend to not use Bahasa Melayu in programmes organised by the private sector, and even by GLCs and government agencies.
“Even at meetings held by government agencies and GLCs, English is used. In fact, it has become common for Bahasa Melayu not to be used for the names of companies, housing projects and brands.
“I hope that at every conference, meeting and other related events Bahasa Melayu will be used,” he said, after officiating this year’s Bahasa Melayu Public Speaking Competition at Dewan Sultan Iskandar, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia last night.
Ismail said the government would support efforts to elevate the language, adding that Putrajaya wanted to make Bahasa Melayu an “international language of the 21st century”.
