Santhara explains use of 'homestay' over 'inap desa' in Parliament

 

Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Edmund Santhara said his use of the term “homestay” when addressing the Dewan Negara on Wednesday was appropriate.

This followed complaints by Dewan Rakyat president Rais Yatim, an active Bahasa Malaysia advocate, criticising Santhara for not using the term “inap desa” instead.

In a statement today, Santhara explained that he used the term correctly at the time because he was referring to the “Program Pengalaman Homestay Malaysia (Malaysian Homestay Experience Programme)”, introduced in 1995 by then minister Sabbruddin Chik.

“There shouldn’t be any confusion on the use of the term ‘homestay’ by the ministry because the term was used as a kata nama khas (proper noun) as opposed to a kata nama am (noun),” said Santhara.

Santhara expressed appreciation to Rais, whom he described as a negarawan (statesman), for his efforts in promoting the use of Bahasa Malaysia in government matters.

He promised to propose the use of the term “inap desa” for the “Program Pengalaman Homestay Malaysia” to the ministry.

According to the Hansard, Rais’ complaint was raised after Santhara answered Isa Ab Hamid’s (Bersatu - federal appointee) question on the number of handicraft and homestay operators who were affected by the movement control order and what has the government done to help them.

Santhara’s reply would go on to use the term “homestay” five times. Rais followed this up by asking Santhara what’s the Bahasa Malaysia term for “homestay”.

Mohd Hisamudin Yahaya (BN - federal appointee) responded with “inap desa”.

Isa was allowed to ask a supplementary question on the government’s digitalisation plans for homestay operators, to which Santhara's explanation contained the term “homestay” five times and “inap desa” once.

However, Rais insisted that Santhara never used “inap desa” at all.

“This is the reason why the national language is fading. We have the words for it, but we don’t use it. Therefore, I’m issuing a reminder,” said Rais.

Under the Standing Orders, the business of the House must be conducted in Bahasa Malaysia but the speaker may permit the use of English. All bills and order papers (meeting agenda) have to be accompanied by an English translation. - Mkini