DEWAN Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) is devising the best mechanism to ensure the allocation given by the government through Budget 2023 will benefit publishers to help the country showcase quality translated works.

The DBP, in a statement today, said among the issues to be focused on include the translation of original works and masterpieces in the Malay language into foreign languages and from foreign languages into the Malay language as well as the publication of selected publications.

“Works of writers which are highly impactful in the context of knowledge, philosophy and thought will be selected for translation and publication. These treasure troves of knowledge are one of the main strategies in the effort to empower the Malay language nationally and internationally,” it said.

According to DBP, the matter is in line with the objectives of its establishment, which is stated under the DBP Act .

The objectives include printing or publishing or assisting in the printing or publication of books, magazines, pamphlets and other forms of literature in the national language and other languages.

To mobilise efforts as stated by the government, DBP will hold talks with the Malaysian Institute of Translation and Books and Yayasan Karyawan soon to formulate a more focused direction for publishing and translation.

“DBP will not work in silos and will be open to listening to the views of various parties to ensure the best mechanism to take advantage of the RM20 million allocated by the government,” it added.

On February 24, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government had allocated RM20 million to DBP, ITBM and Yasasan Karyawan to encourage translation and publishing activities. – Bernama, March 12, 2023.