SHAH ALAM, 20 Oct: The state government will ensure the usage of the Malay language in public areas to be displayed correctly according to the rules set and to obtain approval form the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP).
The Chief Minister, Mohamed Azmin Ali, said that the role of the local authorities will be mobilised to purify the Malay language as the national language.
“At the Selangor state level, I will ensure that there is a transformation in the image of the national language in public places through the enforcement of all local authorities in this state.
“The requirement by the National Council for Local Governments on March 4 required for local authorities to make it mandatory for all advertisers and those who want to display their products or services in public places to receive confirmation and approval from DPB first and it needs to be complied with before a permit is issued,” he said during the Government Departments Monthly Assembly and the National Language Month 2014 launch today.
Also present was the State Government Secretary, Datuk Mohamed Khusrin Munawi, and the DBP Director General, Datuk Dr Awang Sariyan.
The state government will also work towards establishing a think-tank that is able to highlight strategic action plans to increase language programmes, literature and culture with cooperation from various existing government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Selangor.
He said that he does not only want to make Selangor as an economic gateway state, but also a civilisation gateway that is great and successful.
“To improve language skills for effective communication, the State Government will work with the DBP Academy in handing courses on language and communication for all officers at various levels in this state,” he said.
Azmin said that DBP’s efforts to implement the Malay Language Audit in ministries and offices, as well as state government agencies and also institutes of higher learning, need to receive support from everyone so that a complete report can be presented on the level and quality of using the national language.
In his speech, Awang also praised the usage of the national language among civil servants and public places in Selangor.
“Alhamdulillah, the feedback received so far shows a positive effect from all civil servants on the need to use the national language to be increased as the official language in all administration matters.
“Selangor was visited by DBP and I am proud that Selangor has achieved a level to be proud of; which is five stars for the usage of the national language,” he said.
He said this in reference to the achievement by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) which received five stars; the highest achievement in the Local Authority National Language Star Rating Programme, a programme which is in cooperation by DBP and the Ministry of City Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government.
NS
