June 15, 2010 19:41 PM

BEIJING, June 15 (Bernama) — Efforts must be undertaken to encourage research and writing among Malay language teachers towards improving the teaching and learning of the language.

The position of the Malay language as the national language should also be strengthened to be in tandem with efforts to raise English language proficiency among Malaysians.

These were among seven resolutions passed at a seminar on teaching of the Malay language organised by the Bahasa Melayu Educators Association of Malaysia (PPBMM) which ended here today at the Beijing Laurel Hotel .

Participants of the two-day seminar were from China, Malaysia and Indonesia.

PPBMM president Assoc Prof Dr Hashim Othman said the association also urged the government to bear the annual membership fees of Malay language teachers involved in language-based associations and the cost of organising an annual course for them.

He said one of the resolutions was on enculturing research through the ministry’s action plan which PPBMM was willing to help reactivate as the implementation had been poor.

It was also proposed that the teachers’ language (Bahasa Melayu) mastery and delivery in the classroom as well as leadership be further enhanced through workshops.

Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=506192

2009/07/04

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 80 per cent of court cases in Malaysia are conducted in Malay, with more seniors lawyers opting to speak in the national language. But young lawyers are struggling to do the same.
The older ones started the trend five years ago after more books on newly-translated legal terms were at hand, said Bar Council Malay Language committee head Muhammad Hasif Hasan.

“This group studied law in English but today they conduct cases in Malay,” he said here yesterday.

The committee set up in January this year felt the younger ones who have just entered the workforce, found it difficult to adjust after years of reading law in English overseas or at higher learning institutions here.

“They can’t really argue their cases well. They make lots of errors,” he added.
For this group, the committee and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) — the government body responsible for the growth of Malay language will hold training sessions, starting with Klang Valley before moving to other states.

It is to expose lawyers to Malay grammar, translated legal terms and to encourage them to speak Malay more often. Malay is the official language in courts. But for years, most lawyers who argued their cases in English said there were not enough guide books for them to refer.

Source: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/2599336/Article/index_html

By PRIYA KULASAGARAN

WE need to move away from the mindset that the national language is owned by one race, said Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi.

In fact, the Malay language is instrumental in promoting unity among the various races, he added.

“Malay (language) is the ‘key’ in bringing about peace and harmony in the country and in establishing the Malaysian identity,” he said while officiating the 53rd anniversary celebrations of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka in Kuala Lumpur last week.

He said later that there were certain parties which had politicised the issue of language for personal gain but, “this is not about politics, it’s about what’s best for our children and the country”.

He was speaking in reference to the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English (PPSMI).

“Some believe that a country needs to progress first before the national language is strengthened.

“I don’t think one should be sacrificed for the other,” he stressed adding that both these goals must be achieved simultaneously.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2009/6/28/education/4186889&sec=education

Saturday, May 02, 2009, Karachi

As the world has become a global village, language is the best way for bringing the people together.

This was stated by Sindh Minister for Information Shazia Marri while speaking as chief guest at the certificate distribution ceremony at the conclusion of the three-month basic Malay language course.

The ceremony was held on Thursday evening at the Consulate General of Malaysia in Karachi.

Marri, who had inaugurated the course on February 6, said that this would help further strengthen the friendly ties between Pakistan and Malaysia.

She said that as the world has now become a global village, language is the best way to bring the people together.

“Pakistan is a safe country and a country that is prospering,” she said, adding: “The perception of our country abroad is far from the reality and needs to be rectified accordingly.”

The minister later distributed certificates among the successful participants.

A total of 18 participants had enrolled for the basic Malay language course, of these 11 completed the course successfully.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Consul General of Malaysia in Karachi, Muhammad Khalid Abdul Razzak, said that this course was initiated by his consulate in collaboration with the National Youth Council of Pakistan (NYCOP).

He also praised the performance of those who attended this course and pointed out that five of them had scored 70 per cent marks or above.

Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=175362