A-G, MINISTERS NOT GOING AGAINST ARTICLE 152
National Language Act allows translation of announcements, documents, says deputy minister
THE Education Ministry has denied allegations that the attorney-general and cabinet members went against Article 152 of the Federal Constitution, which requires that Bahasa Melayu be used in official functions.
Its deputy minister, Teo Nie Ching, said this was because Section 3 of the National Language Act 1963/67 allowed official announcements and documents to be translated from Bahasa Melayu into other languages, like English.
“No one in Pakatan Harapan disputes this (Article 152).
“Allegations that PH or the attorney-general is going against this matter (under Article 152) are not true,” she said.
She said the Federal and state governments were allowed to translate announcements or documents for the people.
Teo was answering an additional question from Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid (Barisan Nasional-Kuala Kangsar) about the attorney-general or cabinet members allegedly contravening the spirit of Article 152, during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
The additional question was raised in the context of Mastura’s main question on how the ministry would ensure that the status of Bahasa Melayu as the national language per Article 152 was protected.
On July 4, after former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was charged at the Sessions Court here, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas was forced to cancel a press conference outside the court when Najib’s supporters turned rowdy and demanded Thomas use Bahasa Melayu in the press conference.
On steps the ministry was taking to ensure the people continued to use Bahasa Melayu, Teo said this was seen in the government continuing the National Education Blueprint.
“The National Education Blueprint, which was tabled by the previous Barisan Nasional government, is continued by us as we agree with its aims.”