Enculturate Malay Language to Enhance Unity

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - No other language is able to unite the people in this country apart from the Malay language, said Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

He said this was because the Malay language was understood by all and able to unite the people.

The use and enculturation of the Malay language in daily life is able to unite the people of various races, thus make it a easier for the people to embrace 1Malaysia, he said when closing the 1Malaysia One Million Poetry Programme at the National Library on Sunday.

His speech was read by the ministry's deputy secretary-general (information) Datuk Dr Rothiah Omar.

Rais said it was not impossible to relive the golden age of the Malay language when it was widely used in the administrative, diplomatic, economic, arts, social and culture over hundreds of years ago.

"We must be confident of the capability of the Malay language as the national language in transforming the thoughts and actions of the Malaysian race," he said, adding that the enculturation of the Malay language could be done through poetry.

Rais said a good poetry and intoned in a beautiful rhythm and bytes encompassing deep meaning could convey messages, including the 1Malaysia concept, more effectively to the public.

"Poetry whether in a poem, syair, nazam, terompa, rejang or seloka is laden with good examples and perimeters, and without it a nation or a race will lose the aesthetic values, grammar and romance. It gives a positive impact on thoughts and actions.

"This is because a beautifully composed poetry could melt a heart as it is sharper than a sword," he said.

He said besides poetry, leaders, scholars, literary experts, arts proponents, bureaucrats, technocrats, students and villagers could join forces to acculturate the Malay language in the fields of knowledge such as economy, politics, social activities, science and technology.

He said the allocation of RM200 million in the 2011 Budget to develop the creative industry could help poets acculturate the genre more effectively and comprehensively.

Source: http://www.bernama.com.my
Photo: http://melayuonline.com

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