PM: Foreign Students Must Learn Bahasa Melayu While Studying At Malaysia's Universities

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According to Free Malaysia Today, the Prime Minister has spoken to Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad about the matter and she has agreed with the move.

Besides that, Ismail also announced that the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Act will be amended to include enforcement powers.

"The DBP Act will be strengthened by giving DBP the enforcement powers. For example, [for] the use of Bahasa Melayu on signboards, DBP can take action against language abuse," Bernama quoted him as saying at the 2021 UMNO General Assembly at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.

He said efforts to uphold the national language are in line with Article 152 of the Federal Constitution and Clause 3.5 of the UMNO Constitution.

In a circular issued to agencies, ministries, and government-linked companies (GLCs), they are instructed to use Bahasa Melayu in their programmes.

"The time has come for us to be proud of Bahasa Melayu. Therefore, there is no reason for us to feel awkward when speaking the language even on the international stage because bahasa jiwa bangsa (language is the soul of the nation)," said the UMNO vice president, reported Bernama.

During his official visits to Cambodia and Thailand last month, Ismail said he used Bahasa Melayu during a press conference with the leaders of the two countries and would do the same during his visit to Vietnam on Sunday, 20 March.

Previously, the Prime Minister pushed for broader use of the language internationally, instructing government officials to use Bahasa Melayu while speaking at conferences and other engagements abroad, reported Free Malaysia Today.