The government’s flip-flop policy on the Malay language and
persistent efforts by Malay supremacists to tie it to one race and religion
have divided Malaysians and sparked conflicts such as the tussle over the word
Allah, a forum heard last night.
By tying together ethnicity, Islam and the Malay language,
so-called “language champions” have in reality reduced the language’s reach and
shrunk the minds of parts of the Malay community.Novelist Faisal Tehrani said the ban on the use of the word
Allah by Christians, seen in the confiscation of Malay-language Bibles and
restrictions imposed on Christian worship, has made the Malay language the
exclusive language of one community.
However, this practice also contradicts the government’s own
policy of making the Malay language the national language that is supposed to
be adopted by everyone.
“When language is tied to one race and religion, it actually
heightens a sense of sensitivity (among a community).
“So when a Chinese says 'Insyallah', the Malays are shocked.
But in reality, it only means 'God willing'. Just like 'Salam' is just a
greeting of peace. This is the problem when the authorities try to control
language,” said Faisal, who is also a fellow at UKM’s Institute
of the Malay World and Civilisation.
of the Malay World and Civilisation.
Source: The Malaysian Insider
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