THE National Language activists and the Malays in Malaysia should hear with relief the speech by Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak at the final of the International Malay Language Oratory Contest for the Prime Minister’s Cup.
The speech embodies the hope and reflects the love of the country’s top leader towards the Malay language. They will know that Bahasa Melayu will be in the safe hand and its future will be given a boost by Najib and the government.
This year’s International Oratory Contest participated by 50 contestants from 65 countries is the manifestation of Najib’s commitment in ensuring that Bahasa Melayu continue to be the language of the world. He was responsible for introducing the contest five years ago when he was then Deputy Prime Minister.In his speech , Najib admitted to the fact that Bahasa Melayu could not escape from the challenges and pitfalls, and he promise to ensure that all the policies formulated by the government continue to contribute to the development and strengthening of Bahasa Melayu, nationally and internationally.
There are 6,000 languages still spoken in the world but only 20 are accorded the official status.
According to the Prime Minister, Bahasa Melayu is among those 20 with the total of 300 million people speaking the language. Bahasa Melayu is the fifth biggest language spoken throughout the world.
At the end of the international language oratory contest, Malaysia will have dozens more of young friends from 56 nations.
The effort to internationalise Bahasa Melayu and promoting Malaysian culture, tourism and harmony will surely take a giant leap from the international Malay language contest and the side activities. This is to ensure that Bahasa Melayu will not suffer extinction but continue to grow and glow.
The lesson learn from the contest are many especially to those whose mother tongue is Bahasa Melayu.
It is for this reason that Najib said the eloquence of the young from foreign countries speaking in Bahasa Melayu with such an articulate and polish language in expressing their ideas is “actually a cynicism directed at many of us who are so fond of using concocted language in our daily conversation, and even in official writing.”
Bahasa Melayu is our language so if we don’t love our own language and fail to wholly strengthen it.Love our language, Bahasa Melayu our National , Official and Unity Language .(from UM & edited by TB)
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