PETALING JAYA: Baru Bian has ridiculed a proposal to impose a hefty fine or jail term on those who “disrespect” the Malay language, questioning if Sarawakians’ use of English would be deemed disrespectful to the national language.
The Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) leader said Sarawak had never relinquished its right to use English as its second official language, citing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution.
“In fact, the Sarawak government is encouraging people to excel in English as it is recognised as the lingua franca of the world. Mastering the English language is necessary for us to be global players in all fields.
“Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg had also announced that our state civil servants have the liberty to use English in official letters.
“Would the continued use of English by Sarawakians be considered ‘disrespectful’ by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP)?” the Selangau MP asked in a statement.
Baru was referring to DBP chairman Awang Sariyan’s proposal to amend the DBP Act 1959 to include a RM50,000 fine or imprisonment for those who disrespect the national language.
Awang was reported to have said that this punishment was meant to evoke “love and patriotism”.
Baru said he could not see how punishing those perceived as being “disrespectful” to the national language could instill love for the country.
“Love and patriotism cannot be forced by punishment and coercion. In fact, such punitive measures could have the opposite effect, breeding resentment and contempt,” he added.
On Wednesday, Warisan MP Darrell Leiking also slammed the proposal by the DBP chairman, calling it “ridiculous and dull-witted”.
Leiking, a former federal minister, called for Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor to affirm that English and Malay would remain the official languages used by the state government. - FMT
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