PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry wants to expand the National Language Month programme to include corporate leaders, as well as to include international and private schools in an effort to promote the Malay language.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) must take the lead in promoting the programmes across all sectors.
“There are many programmes planned as part of this month-long annual event at school, district and state levels involving private companies, government linked companies and non-governmental organisation.
“We must engage these corporate leaders and sectors to take part in this event and help us further promote it through corporate social responsibility programmes.
“Many people are unaware of the National Language Month but if we sit down and explain it to them, more people from all walks of life will participate,” he said after launching the national level event, here today.
Also present were his deputy Datuk Chong Sin Wong and the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad.
As for those in international and private schools, Mahdzir said it was up to the ministry to approach them first instead of waiting for them to come.
He said, based on his own personal experience, response from international and private schools have been positive and as such, more engagements must be carried out.
At the launch, Mahdzir presented the National Language Award to socio-cultural adviser to the government Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim for his contributions towards promoting the national language at local and international levels.