Nothing new: As a Malay studies expert points out, the exclusive use of a native national language for official government correspondence is a norm in some countries. — Filepic/The Star
SHOULD all correspondence with the government strictly be in Bahasa Malaysia?
Such is the question raised by several experts on the heels of a recent reminder that all official letters to the government must be in BM, or risk rejection.
The reminder, while understandably made to uphold Bahasa Malaysia’s status as the country’s official language, has raised concerns over possible language barriers among those accustomed to communicating in English, such as foreign representatives to the country.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim issued the reminder during a national language event last week, saying that letters that are not in Bahasa Malaysia will be returned to the sender: “I want to remind the public and private sectors of the directive that those who correspond in a language other than the national language, their letters will be sent back,” he said.
He pointed out that the flexibility in allowing the use of English has seen tendencies by several government departments and other institutions to sidestep the basis of Article 152 of the Federal Constitution and the National Language Act 1967.
While not criticising the insistence on using Bahasa Malaysia, experts and those who correspond regularly with the government are seeking clarity on the policy as well as calling for leniency in situations where the message can be provided in a clearer context in English due to its use as the global lingua franca.
Clarity check
The Information Department describes the provision of Article 152, which empowers the role of Bahasa Malaysia as the national medium and its functions; the language’s position is further streng-thened under the National Lan-guage Act 1967.
On the MyGovernment portal the department has this to say about BM: “Its importance as a language of knowledge and the medium of teaching and learning has also led to the Education Act 1961.... But at the same time, other languages used by other races... are free to be used, such as Mandarin by the Chinese and Tamil by the Indians.”
However, the department also acknowledges the importance of English due to its global practicality: “Apart from that, English still dominates the language in the country’s trade and industry sector. The Malaysian government also encourages its people to master other international languages particularly in tourism and international trade.”
Correspondingly, the need for clarity on the use of English in government dealings, especially with recent reminders, is needed.
“Upholding the use of Bahasa Malaysia for formal and official use is honourable, but executing this protocol in a wider context should be preceded by clearer guidelines and more defined parameters,” says a diplomacy expert from a foreign embassy in Kuala Lumpur who declines to be named.
“Currently, English is still being used as the medium for communication between foreign missions and Wisma Putra. That is unlikely to change, given the nature of the communications.”
However, the diplomacy expert says while Bahasa Malaysia currently is the mainstay medium in government communication, its use should be interchangeable with English depending on the occasion and level of comprehension.
“Nevertheless, Bahasa Malaysia has always been used in letters from ministries and government departments where the nature of communications is mainly, but not limited to, general announcements dealing with policies.
“Conducting formal dealings, whether in person or through written communications, is always preferred in the language that is easily comprehensible by all parties involved, be it Bahasa Malaysia or English,” he says.
Practicality prime
An industry captain running an information technology company points out an example which will require the use of English for better context or clarity through the use of specific terms.
“If I am to present a proposal to the government on a new database technology, it is better to use the terms ‘cloud computing’ or ‘zero trust network access’ as they are originally sentenced or worded for better context and comprehension.
“Some words or terms do not translate well into Bahasa Malaysia, even if the intent is to bring clarity.
“For example, the reason why the English word ‘stream’ [in the context of streaming content] has been widely transliterated as ‘strim’ [in BM] on many advertisement billboards is because of context,” says the manager who requested anonymity.
He says while Bahasa Malaysia is growing in its vocabulary, as with all other languages, the business sector remains comfortable with using BM and English interchangeably.
“I believe there should be leniency in official dealings with the government. Of course, communicating in Bahasa Malaysia should be a top priority but a level of compromise should be allowed.”
Prof Dr Mohd Nazari Ismail of Universiti Malaya’s business and economics faculty says in some instances the rule of enforcing the use of Bahasa Malaysia can become a hurdle if it becomes rigid.
“Yes, it can be a stumbling block. So communication with foreign companies should be done in multiple languages, especially English.
“English is convenient because it is universally used worldwide. It will help facilitate communications between us and foreigners.”
Nevertheless, Prof Mohd Nazari says the national language should be maintained as per its official position.
“There is also a need to use Bahasa Malaysia sometimes, even in formal settings. Otherwise, the language may become extinct after a while [due to lack of use].”
Lifting barriers
The rule that all government correspondence must be in Bahasa Malaysia should not be seen as a barrier to effective communication.
Malay studies expert Assoc Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi says the exclusive use of the national language as a medium is a norm in other countries.
“For example, in South Korea, government officials use Korean. But when communicating with other countries like Malaysia, they use English. The same goes for Japan.”
Assoc Prof Awang Azman does not believe that the Malaysian government will be inflexible when it comes to communicating with other countries or in dealing with matters involving foreign trade, for example.
He says the instruction by the government is in line with Malaysia’s national language policy, and he believes the Prime Minister was referring only to domestic communications.
“When it comes to foreign communications, it is for certain that the English language will be used. This covers diplomatic and trade relations.”
When it comes to improving communications in light of the government’s instructions, Assoc Prof Awang Azman says consistent use of the national language will bring about a better understanding of its utilisation.
“What is being stressed by the government concerns official domestic affairs.
“According to the National Language Act 1967, by right, communications between government departments or even during university meetings should be carried out in the national language. It is not something new.”
Should it become an impediment, Prof Mohd Nazari suggests that the role of translators be significantly enhanced when addres-sing government communiques or policies.
“By right, foreign dignitaries should have translators. Other-wise, it can be a problem.”
Another diplomatic officer says effective communication centres on benefiting the parties involved in the communication process.
“Both English and Bahasa Malaysia have been used interchangeably in this context, which has been effective.
“What’s important is to produce desirable outcomes for all the parties involved.”
