PETALING JAYA: The proposal to amend the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Act 1959 to provide for punitive action against those who disrespect the national language is still being studied by the education ministry.
In a brief written parliamentary reply, education minister Radzi Jidin said his ministry will study the matter thoroughly and holistically, taking into account the implications if implemented.
He was responding to Darell Leiking (Warisan-Penampang) who asked the senior minister if the amendments proposed by DBP’s board of governors over the use of the Malay language would be applied in Sabah and Sarawak.
In June, the DBP board proposed amending the Act to include a RM50,000 fine or imprisonment against those who disrespect the national language.
DBP chairman Awang Sariyan said such punishment was meant to evoke “love and patriotism”.
Leiking, a former federal minister, had slammed the proposal, describing it as “ridiculous and dull-witted”.
In May, Chief Secretary to the Government Zuki Ali had also drawn flak after he proposed that the public services department (JPA) consider punitive action to enforce the use of Malay in the civil service and government-linked companies.
Leiking and Sarawak’s state tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah had also criticised this, with the latter calling it a “silly and stupid” proposal. - FMT
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