The Rais logic and correct usage of Bahasa

Datuk Seri Rais Yatim hit out against the gratuitous use of English words in Bahasa Malaysia today, calling for the use of a purer form of the national language.

The information, communications and culture minister said he understood that it was easy for such mixing to occur given the prevalent usage of English in Malaysia.

But Rais (picture) cautioned against the casual adoption of English terms that were not officially sanctioned.

“For example, when we invite people to have lunch, we say, ‘Marilah kita pergi lunch.’ (Let’s go for lunch.) This should not be practised,” he told reporters here today.

He said while there was “no conflict” in using words like “integriti”, “universal” and “presint” — now part and parcel of Bahasa Malaysia — it was still necessary to “filter carefully” so that the national language maintained its unifying role.

Rais, however, stressed that a balance needed to be found between preserving the language and ensuring that it kept up with the “demands of the era”.

“We exercise constraint but at the same time we look forward to being more productive and constructive in the usage of the language so that it is alive,” he said.

“But being alive alone is not enough. We have to curtail some of the rudiments of non-utility in the language.”

He said his ministry would work with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) and the Education Ministry to promote proper Bahasa Malaysia.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, earlier officiated the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry’s Pembudayaan Bahasa campaign.

The campaign will focus on teaching schoolchildren good Bahasa Malaysia and encourage its day-to-day use.

- Malaysian Insider