Anwar’s instruction on Bahasa Melayu ‘silly and absurd’ — MoCS

KUCHING: The Movement for Change Sarawak ( MoCS) has termed Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent instruction for all government events and press conferences to be conducted in Bahasa Melayu as ‘plain silly and absurd’.

Its president Francis Siah said people ‘ should seriously ask Anwar what is wrong with speaking both Bahasa Malaysia and English or other languages to a mixed audience at official events’.

“Even press conferences are also covered by journalists from the foreign media. That being the case, Anwar’s instruction could be described as ‘silly’ because it is not in tandem with the government’s encouragement for Malaysians to pick up different languages,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Siah said Malaysians should also ask the ‘ incoming prime minister’ since when Bahasa Malaysia became Bahasa Melayu.

“Isn’t the official language of our multi-racial nation Bahasa Malaysia? Was it ever officially changed to Bahasa Melayu – meaning the ‘language of Malays’?”

He further stressed that MoCS was shocked that Anwar was talking about upholding Bahasa Melayu as the official language of the country.

“If the motive is political expediency on Anwar’s part, which involves pandering to a certain race, then Malaysians have reasons to worry of the future directions the incoming prime minister would be heading.

“Perhaps Anwar has to be reminded again that not all Malaysians are in favour of him succeeding ( Tun) Dr Mahathir Mohamad as ( the next) prime minister,” he pointed out.

According to Siah, MoCS feels the pressing need to inform Anwar that English is an official language in Sarawak, as decreed by the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.

He recalled that Adenan was comfortable in speaking Bahasa Sarawak at official events and this was actually something which endeared him to many Sarawakians.

“A great leader does not have to instruct or insist on a certain language to be spoken as long as the speaker’s message is understood by his audience.

“This is something which Anwar, as the incoming prime minister, should take a cue from,” added Siah.

On Monday, Anwar was quoted as urging leaders and members of official government councils to use the Malay language as a medium of instruction as part of the efforts to uphold it as a language of knowledge.

The Port Dickson MP said the protests and doubts from certain parties were not obstacles against the efforts to uphold Bahasa Melayu as the official language of the country.