KUCHING – Those employed in the Sarawak civil service can use English in official communications, according to State Secretary Datuk Mohd Abu Bakar Marzuki.
When contacted, he said Sarawak will “not follow the reminder” made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday, that all government departments should not entertain any letters written in a language other than the national language, Bahasa Melayu.
“That does not apply in Sarawak,” he said.
In his speech at the opening of the National Language Decade carnival and National Reading Decade in Cyberjaya, Anwar said he noted that there is a tendency by some parties to deny the fundamentals of the Federal Constitution, which requires them to communicate with government departments in the national language.
“So, I would like to give a reminder (to all government departments), that if they receive a letter from local companies or public and private universities in a language other than the national language, just return it to the sender.
“The empowerment of culture, language, and literature is an integral part of nation-building, so let us not underestimate it.
“And I hope this reminder is duly noted. The directive is clear, and the Director-General of Public Service (KPPA) Datuk Dr Zulkapli Mohamed is also here… that we shall not entertain any letters written in a language other than the national language,” he said.
Article 152 of the Federal Constitution states that the Malay language, or Bahasa Melayu, is the national language. – October 26, 2023