Kuala lumpur: The Royal Address by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, at the opening of the fifth session of the 15th Parliament reflects his authority in reinforcing the role of Bahasa Melayu as a symbol of sovereignty and national identity, the National Writers Association of Malaysia (PENA) said.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, PENA president Dr Mohamad Saleeh highlighted the importance of His Majesty's firmness in the current situation, where certain groups appear to challenge the position of Bahasa Melayu. He emphasized that the Constitution of a sovereign nation must be respected.
'PENA welcomes Sultan Ibrahim's royal address, which emphasises the importance of upholding Bahasa Melayu as the national language. Provocations by certain political players to the extent of challenging the Constitution could pose a threat to the country's harmony and stability. Bahasa Melayu must not be used as a bargaining chip in power struggles,' he said in a statement today.
Mohamad further noted that upholding His Majesty's decree aligns with the national ideology enshrined in the Rukun Negara. 'Challenging the 'pasak negara' (pillar of the country) will only result in instability,' he added.
Meanwhile, Federation of Peninsula Malay Students Association (GPMS) secretary-general Wafiyuddin Musa described the King's decree as an authoritative statement that reinforces Bahasa Melayu's role as a symbol of sovereignty and national identity, while serving as a foundation for building a strong nation.
He explained that a robust education system centred on the national language is crucial for identity formation and understanding the country's history, fostering harmony among people of different races.
Wafiyuddin clarified that strengthening Bahasa Melayu does not mean sidelining other languages but ensures that the foundations of education and national unity are solid and in accordance with the Federal Constitution. He added that Bahasa Melayu serves as a unifying tool for Malaysians, ensuring respect for the country's history and core values.
'GPMS believes that strengthening the national language at all levels of education will enhance national unity, foster loyalty to the country, and provide opportunities for the younger generation to remain competitive in the global arena, without neglecting the nation's cultural roots and core values,' he said.