BUSINESS groups and associations are at odds with Putrajaya’s decision to make Bahasa Melayu the official communication language.

Small and Medium Enterprise Association of South Johor advisor Teh Kee Sin told The Malaysian Insight that Putrajaya should not impose unnecessary regulations as Bahasa Melayu has been used by many businesses for years.

He questioned why the government was making an issue of this now.

Other associations, however, accepted the Madani government’s proposal.

A week ago, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reminded all government departments not to entertain letters not written in Malay.

In his speech at the National Language Decade carnival, Anwar said there was a tendency to deny the Federal Constitution which required them to communicate with government departments in the Bahasa.

“So, I would like to give a reminder (to all government departments), if they receive a letter in a language other than the national language, just return it to the sender,” the prime minister had said.

Article 152 of the Constitution states the Malay language or Bahasa Melayu is the national language.

Anwar said such action would not make Malaysia narrow-minded because the government does not undermine the importance of English.

Teh said English should be allowed when it comes to technical matters and said politicians should not meddle in matters related to businesses.

“First and foremost, we love BM. I speak in BM in most of our conversations, be it verbally or letters to the government.

“However, there are things we have to use English when it is difficult for us to translate,” said Teh.

Teh said what is most important is the message is understood.

“BM or English is a tool. What we want is the end result. I feel politicians shouldn’t teach business people their jobs,” Teh said.

BM is no problem for us

For Kamarul Baharin Mansor of Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC), the use of Malay should be used as it would reach all sectors.

“The language can be understood by everyone. It is our national language. We have no problems with the decision.”

The Selangor and Federal Territories Indian Hairstylists Association vice-president Akilan Anandakrishnan agreed with Kamarul.

He said his organisation has been sending official letters in Bahasa Melayu for many years.

“I don’t have a problem. I speak Malay fluently and I can write in Malay,” said Akilan.

Despite the reminder, Sarawak state secretary Amar Mohd Abu Bakar Marzuki said what Anwar said does not apply to East Malaysia and Sarawak civil service can still use English.

While Amar did not clarify why the state is exempted, it is believed he is referring to how English is still Sarawak’s official language alongside Bahasa Melayu. – November 2, 2023.