Baru: Fine for ‘bad’ Bahasa Malaysia a flawed proposition

KUCHING: State PKR chairman Baru Bian has described the reported proposal for the imposition of a RM1,000-fine by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka ( DBP) for the use of incorrect Bahasa Malaysia via the amendment to the National Language Act 1963 and Education Act 1996 as a ‘ flawed proposition’.

Baru, who is Ba Kelalan assemblyman, said the proposal would seek to punish and not educate the public.

It is a draconian move that will cause resentment and avoidance of Bahasa Malaysia by the public. Is there any other country that imposes a fine such as this for the improper use of their language? Baru Bian, State PKR chairman

“It is a draconian move that will cause resentment and avoidance of Bahasa Malaysia by the public. Is there any other country that imposes a fine such as this for the improper use of their language?

“In the first place, what is the definition of ‘proper Bahasa Malaysia’? Is there a gold standard documented somewhere for the poor public to follow? Who is to judge what amounts to ‘proper Bahasa Malaysia’? Is there going to be a degree of acceptable ‘improperness’ beyond which the fine will be imposed?”

Baru said imposing a fine is ridiculous because languages, including Bahasa Malaysia, are always evolving, and people continue to learn the language as it evolves.

“Many words are adopted from the English language, and this is necessary where there are no equivalent words in Bahasa Malaysia for the term. This is especially true in the scientific and technical fields. Would some people consider these adoptions as improper?”

In Sarawak, he said English is recognised as an official language as provided for under the Malaysian Agreement 1963.

“This right is further safeguarded in Art 161 in Part XIIA of the Federal Constitution. Furthermore, the government is encouraging the people to excel in English, as it is recognised as the lingua franca of the world, and mastery of the English language is necessary for us to be global players in all fields. We would regard this move to impose fines for incorrect usage of Bahasa Malaysia to be unconstitutional.”

Baru said this move by the federal government is another manifestation of the high handedness of government officials who have the mistaken belief that punishment yields results.

“This could also well be a politically motivated strategy for Peninsular Malaysian audiences, designed to divide the people and to foment resentment and insecurity.”

Therefore, he said this proposal to impose fines for people’s weakness in a language is immature, ill- conceived and a waste of time and resources. “It will not benefit any party in the end.”