The Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Act should be amended to grant the department enforcement powers against property developers that choose non-Malaysian names for their projects, according to former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. He proposed this amendment to address what he perceives as the growing misuse of the Malay language in property naming practices. Ismail emphasized that DBP should be the official body responsible for ensuring the use of appropriate names, thereby eliminating overlaps with local authorities and ensuring consistency in language enforcement.
Ismail Sabri expressed his concerns about the rising trend among developers to use foreign names, particularly French and Spanish, for local projects instead of names rooted in Malaysian heritage. He noted that DBP currently lacks the authority to impose fines or penalties on these developers, a gap in the law that he believes should be rectified to protect the integrity of the national language. During his speech at the third Simposium Antarabangsa Aspirasi Bahasa Melayu, Ismail Sabri urged the government to consider empowering DBP with the necessary legal tools to take action against such practices.
The former prime minister’s comments were published by Free Malaysia Today, where he elaborated on the need for stricter enforcement to promote the use of the Malay language. He argued that by enabling DBP to have enforcement powers, the government could address the increasing tendency to favor foreign names that have little connection to Malaysia's identity and culture.
Beyond the realm of property development, Ismail Sabri also suggested that the government extend its focus on the use of Malay to the private sector. He recommended that businesses and organizations be required to conduct all official matters in the national language, which would further elevate the status of Malay locally and on the international stage. In his view, the widespread use of Malay would enhance the nation's cultural identity and assert its linguistic pride, not only in domestic affairs but also in interactions with foreign entities.
To reinforce his point, Ismail Sabri proposed that the government should only accept invitations and communications from the private sector if they are in Malay. Additionally, he suggested that government events, even those attended by international guests, should be conducted in the national language. For the benefit of non-Malay-speaking attendees, speeches could be accompanied by translations or subtitles, ensuring that the proceedings remain accessible while prioritizing the use of Malay.
He further emphasized that the government should lead by example, using Malay in all of its communications and official engagements before encouraging the private sector to follow suit. We start first with the government and then we get the private sector. When the private sector invites us to open a programme, it has to be on our terms, Ismail Sabri was quoted as saying by Bernama, underscoring the need for a top-down approach to reinforcing the use of the national language.
In conclusion, Ismail Sabri’s recommendations call for stronger legislative backing to promote the use of the Malay language across various sectors, with the DBP playing a pivotal role in enforcing these changes. His vision is one in which Malaysia’s cultural and linguistic heritage is preserved and celebrated, even as the country engages with the global community.
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