Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Cherish Malay language, for it is our national identity

Wednesday, April 14, 2010
BRUNEIANS are not only required to master the Malay Language but also, equally important, to have an awareness that the language is the national identity that must be upheld, loved and cherished while recognising the value of other languages in gaining knowledge and information, Director of Research, Development and International Affairs at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports said yesterday.

Speaking at the launching of the Muhammad Jamalul Alam Secondary School's Language Year 2010 yesterday, Dr Mataim Bakar said:"It cannot be denied that knowledge and information can be easily obtained in various languages and that they do not necessarily have to be learned through formal education in the classrooms." He said that out-of-class activities such as the Language Year Programme, could contribute to the enhancement of language proficiency among the students in terms of fluency, writing and communication skills.

It was his highest hopes that the programme would bring about a generation of Bruneian students who love the Malay language which is the nation's cultural heritage that needs to be protected.

The year-long language activities will involve the participation of the whole school. The programme will highlight activities by four of the school's language clubs: Malay, English, Arabic and Japanese language clubs. These activities include story-telling competition, book review competition, Home Reading Competition, Amazing Race and Outstanding Readers Awards.

Pg Muhd Noor Shah Pg Hj Muhammad, the event's chairman, said that "The programme is appropriate so that the Ministry of Education's concept, desire and expectation in the 21st century can be shared and appreciated."

"To achieve Brunei Vision 2035, we need to develop and equip ourselves and our students in facing the competitive world through knowledge. The effect of globalisation is the demand on high quality human resource in various fields including language," he added.

He also said that language had a fundamental value as a medium of interaction capable of triggering constructive opinions and thinking.

The ability to communicate in various languages is a high value-added asset, he added. (RSH1)

The Brunei Times