BNM, DBP continue to improve BM usage in financial sector

KUALA LUMPUR: In the financial sector, Bahasa Melayu usually has a low profile due to its supposed lack of “economic value”.

In the commercial banking, insurance and corporate business circles, English is the preferred language while the national language is often sidelined despite it having the capacity to serve as an adequate language for business and communication purposes.

Although no concerted effort has been taken to enhance the usage of Bahasa Melayu in the financial sector, however, the past 10 years have seen some baby steps being taken towards that direction.

One such effort is the annual Pertandingan Pidato Antara Institusi Kewangan Piala Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia Governor's Cup Inter-Financial Institution Oratory Competition), an oratory contest for the staff of banking and financial institutions organised by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) with the cooperation of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP).

The contest aims at fostering a sense of pride in the national language and reinforcing the use of Bahasa Melayu in the financial sector.

Now in its ninth year running, the contest attracted about 100 participants from 29 banking and financial institutions who had to go through two preliminary rounds before being shortlisted.

Thirteen finalists participated in the final round of the competition held earlier this month at the BNM auditorium, here.

CIMB Bank Berhad's Jushua Meta Anak Null, 28, was adjudged the champion after impressing the jury with his speech titled, “Skim Cepat Kaya: Mengapa Masih Ramai Yang Tertipu” (Get Rich Quick Schemes: Why Many People Continue to be Deceived).

The bank officer from Sri Aman in Sarawak won a trophy and cash prize of RM5,000. - Bernama