Khai Zem Mat Sani
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
BRUNEIANS need to be more active in strengthening the Malay language by speaking it or through the written word, the president of the Brunei Malay Teachers Association (PGGMB) said.
Hj Antin Hj Ahad said modernisation and the emphasised usage of an international language has eroded the value of Bahasa Melayu.
“English has become the more dominant language as it is considered trendy and modern while the use of Bahasa Melayu among the public is slowly dissipating,” said Hj Antin.
“Since we are striving for modern lifestyle as well as technological development, we are slowly abandoning the use of Bahasa Melayu under the notion that emphasising the use of an international language will help to ease communication,” he said.
“The value of Bahasa Melayu is not as strong as before where most of former education were concentrated in Malay medium and now has been manipulated by the English language.”
He went on to say that early education in Brunei emphasised Bahasa Melayu as a compulsory subject that required students to study and excel in examination.
“Nowadays, that regulation is not highly implemented in the education system where some student who failed in Bahasa Melayu were still given chances to further their study.”
He said it is not to condemn the students for not excelling in the Malay language but more like showing them that their Malay language skills and knowledge must be equivalent to English medium subjects.
“The education system must emphasise Bahasa Melayu like the former system where Bahasa Melayu was seen as the important subject that could enhance the students’ chances in furthering their study,” he added.
Hj Antin (pictured) said that if Bruneians keep on imitating other cultures, they are indirectly moving away from their own way of life, customs, race and, most importantly, identity.
As one of PGGMB’s main goals in enhancing the education amongst locals, particularly in Bahasa Melayu, the association has established rapport with other foreign associations in Asian countries.
The association has extended its network to other ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
Hj Antin said that the efforts in strengthening Bahasa Melayu were not just made within the sultanate but also in this region as well as some European countries that offer Bahasa Melayu as a course or subject in some higher education institutions.
PGGMB over the years has served to become an important asset for the Ministry of Education in its efforts to enhance the quality of education amongst young generation of the sultanate, the association president said.
The association has more than 2,000 members. Pg Datin Paduka Hjh Mariam Pg Hj Matarsat is deputy president.
Besides PGGMB, there are several governemnt agencies that work on maintaining the values of Bahasa Melayu, such as the Language and Literature Bureau and the Supreme Council for the Malay Muslim Monarchy (MIB).
Sumber - The Brunei Times
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