An Indonesian minister has rejected Malaysia's proposal to strengthen Bahasa Melayu by making it Asean's second language and to use it in every official meeting between the two countries.
According to Indonesian news portal Kompas.com, Indonesia's Education, Culture, Research and Technology Minister Nadiem Makarim (above) has informed his reservation on the matter to Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob during the latter's official visit to Indonesia last week.
Nadiem reportedly said that Bahasa Indonesia is more eligible to be elevated to such a position, citing its history and linguistic values.
"As the minister in charge, of course, I rejected the proposal. However, because our neighbour has expressed intention to make Bahasa Melayu an official Asean language, it should be studied and debated further at the regional level," the minister said, as quoted by Kompas.com.
Nadiem's statement contradicts a message conveyed during a joint press conference held by Ismail Sabri and Indonesia President Joko Widodo on Friday, where both leaders reportedly expressed their agreement to further strengthen the use of Bahasa Melayu in the region.
Calling for all Indonesians to defend Bahasa Indonesia, Nadiem claimed that it has become the most prominent language being used in Southeast Asia and has spread to 47 countries around the globe.
"With all the greatness possessed by Bahasa Indonesia from its historical, linguistic and grammatical aspects, and how it has been recognised internationally, Bahasa Indonesia should be prioritised and perhaps being made the intermediary language for Asean formal meetings," he said. - Mkini
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