BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, July 4 (Xinhua) -- In a country where English is widely spoken, the Brunei government has urged its people "not to be hesitant but instead felt proud of using the Malay language" either during social events or in workplace.
During the launch of Language Month 2019 on Wednesday, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Haji Aminuddin Ihsan encouraged his fellow Bruneians to speak the Malay language more.
The minister referred to a call made by the ruler, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, who in 2011 urged government ministries, departments and private sectors to augment the use of the Malay language in their services.
The minister said to answer this call, Bruneians have the solemn responsibility to make efforts in preserving the language.
He said this is especially so on the expanding social media platforms which are increasingly stretching the boundaries of communication.
The minister proposed an enrichment and expansion of Malay Language through the publication of papers, journals and digital books that are accessible to the global community.
He believed it is now time to take this opportunity to internationalize the language.
"Malay, as one of the global languages, would then flourish and used as a reference for the global community for a better understanding of the Malay Language and world."
