Uthaya Sankar SB - Isu Bahasa Malaysia

A good friend of mine, the late Khandan wrote those wordings in one of his cards to me years ago. I took his words for granted until recently when I faced the issue regarding Bahasa Malaysia.

It all started when I was proof-reading Seutas Rantai Loceng Suasa, a compilation of 15 Bahasa Malaysia short stories by six Malaysian Indian writers to be published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP).

I discovered, to my surprise, that the editor in charge had changed the term “Bahasa Malaysia” in the preface of the manuscript to “Bahasa Melayu”. I urged him to change it back to “Bahasa Malaysia” because that is the term I want to use in the preface that I as the compiler wrote.

Azmi told me that DBP had decided not to allow me use Bahasa Malaysia. Surprised, I asked for an explanation.

"Bahasa Malaysia is a term coined by the politicians for political reasons," he said.

Well if we still have the same government, why does DBP rule Bahasa Malaysia as being inappropriate?

"It all started when the politicians wanted to unite all Malaysians from the different races," Azmi said and went on to lecture about how Malaysia was formed and also about the bloody May 13 incident. "And now it’s about time we use the term ‘Bahasa Melayu’ again."

"You mean to say that a true 100 per cent unity has been achieved?" I asked, somewhat stupidly.

"Well, then, this is all the more reason that I have the right to use ‘Bahasa Malaysia’ in the preface of Seutas Rantai Loceng Suasa," I emphasised. "Am I not helping the government in its move to reach unity among all Malaysians?”

That was the point where the diplomatic talk came to an end. The editor’s tone turned drastic, so to say.

"Why don't you just give in? Have the book published … you get the money, other writers too get their money, my work load will be less. Don't be too stubborn. Or else we might blacklist you."

Hey! This is not a matter of stubbornness, I told myself. This has got to do with my principle, my right to use the term “Bahasa Malaysia”. But Azmi kept saying that “Bahasa Malaysia” is political and therefore, incorrect. I really don't know why he's so much against our government's decisions to use “Bahasa Malaysia” as a way to unite us all.

But I was not going to give up my right and my principle. Remember what Khandan told me once? It all made sense to me. I should not give up what I know is my right.

I have nothing against “Bahasa Melayu”. But I grew up with “Bahasa Malaysia”. I love “Bahasa Malaysia”. And when someone tells me that “Bahasa Malaysia” is incorrect, what am I suppose to do?

And I have nothing against DBP. It has published several of my books. DBP is more like my Big Daddy. But when Big Daddy tells me that I cannot use “Bahasa Malaysia” because Big Daddy thinks that it is a term coined by the government for mere political reason, I have to make it clear to Big Daddy that he is wrong.

“Bahasa Malaysia” is not political. “Bahasa Malaysia” makes me feel proud to be a Malaysian; to be speaking the language of my country.

Okay, the origin of Bahasa Malaysia is Bahasa Melayu. (Let’s not talk about the origin of Bahasa Melayu because that will lead us to something else.) But as I said, I have nothing against it. Indeed, I do use the term “Bahasa Melayu” in my stories, when necessary. “Datuk Datang ke Kampung Kami” (Dewan Sastera, February 1997), for example, has both the terms “Bahasa Melayu” and “Bahasa Malaysia” in it.

My argument is very simple and pragmatic: “Bahasa Malaysia” does exist and it is not an incorrect term, despite what Big Daddy says.

I have been using “Bahasa Malaysia” in my writings published by Big Daddy. Siru Kambam was published in 1996 and went through a second printing in 1997. Surat dari Madras was also published by Big Daddy in 1999.

Big Daddy never told me “Bahasa Malaysia” was incorrect when I used the term in both books. Indeed, I checked the agreement documents for Hanuman: Potret Diri, Siru Kambam and Surat dari Madras. Guess what? It says “Bahasa Karya: Bahasa Malaysia”.

If that sounds surprising, wait till you hear this: the agreement document for Seutas Rantai Loceng Suasa states “Bahasa Karya: BAHASA MALAYSIA”.

I don't know why Azmi had to bring up the matter in the very first place. Or was he just following orders? From whom? I wouldn't know because I have not received any black-and-white statement from Big Daddy. And whenever someone – either me or the Press – tries to get in touch with Azmi for details, he is never in. Or at least that is what we have been told.

The issue is in the newspapers. It’s in cyberspace. The Education Minister has made a statement that both terms can be used for all purposes.

“In a multi-racial community, it is easier to accept ‘Bahasa Malaysia’ since it reflects that the language belongs to the different races too,” Datuk Seri Najib was reported saying in The Sun (21 October 1999).

But why is Big Daddy still keeping quiet? Isn’t Big Daddy suppose to say something?

As I said, I have nothing against “Bahasa Melayu” or Big Daddy. But if Big Daddy still tries to stop me from using “Bahasa Malaysia”, Big Daddy is actually going against the Government’s decision regarding usage of the term.

Let's hope that at least now Big Daddy will start talking. Let's hear what's actually bothering Big Daddy.

- New Straits Times, 3 November 1999

- SuaraAnum.com, 1 April 2002

KUALA LUMPUR, Mon: Hopes of six Indian writers to publish a book have turned sour because they used the term Bahasa Malaysia in the preface of their short story compilation.

The publisher, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), refused to allow the use of the term "Bahasa Malaysia" citing it as a term coined by politicians.

Its private sector language development division head, Noresah Maharul said, the body adheres to the Federal Constitution which states that the national language shall be the Malay language.

"The name of the language is Melayu while the term Bahasa Malaysia was introduced mainly for political reasons," Noresah said.

But Uthaya Sankar SB, a contributor and compiler of the book entitled "Seutas Rantai Loceng Suasa" said, the discrimination between the two terms came as a surprise since it has never been a problem.

"I have been using it (Bahasa Malaysia) in the prefaces for all my books," he said.

"There was also a problem pertaining to the title of the book, "Vanakam", which was eventually changed," said Uthaya who works as a part-time news editor at RTM and also a lecturer in Bahasa Malaysia literature in a local college.

He said the term Bahasa Malaysia has been used widely and is recognized as the term connoting the national language.

An Education Department spokesman when contacted said, the department is not aware of any legal prohibition discriminating between the two terms.

KUALA LUMPUR, Wed: The government adopts a pragmatic stand on the use of the terms Bahasa Melayu and Bahasa Malaysia to refer to the national language.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said both terms are accepted and applicable in all situations, except for academic purpose where the term Bahasa Melayu is used.

"The government is not rigid about this. Although in the constitution the term Bahasa Melayu is used, in certain situations, the use of the term Bahasa Malaysia is allowed.

"We do not want to go into a debate on semantics. On the government's part, we are being pragmatic by accepting both. This is not an issue to be exaggerated," he said.

Najib was commenting on a report in the Sun yesterday that Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka has refused to publish a book because the writers have used the term Bahasa Malaysia in the preface of their work.

He said in a multi-racial community, it is easier to accept "Bahasa Malaysia" since it reflects that the language belongs to the different races too.

Apa reaksi orang ramai berhubung isu ini? Bacalah komen yang disiarkan dalam surat berita Kavya, Keluaran 2 - Nov/Dis 1999

Malaysia achieved its indeoendence 44 years ago from the yoke of British colonialism. We are an indeoendent and sovereign nation.

As are all self-respecting nations, we have our own national symbols. One of them is our national language.

According to the provision (Article 152, Clause 1) of our Federal Constitution, which is the supreme law (Article 4, Clause 1) in the land, Bahasa Malaysia is the national language.

The National Language Act 1963/1967 passed by Parliament provided that Bahasa Malaysia be the sole official language of this nation. We are a nation and a people that abide by the rule of law, not the rule of men or convenience.

I agree that Malaysians should be multilingual but that does not mean you can conveniently disregard the mastering of our national language and showing it the proper respect it deserves.

Being proficient in a multitude of foreign languages but failing to master our national language shows contempt for our national symbols.

In my opinion, it has everything to do with our sense of nationalism and respect for the sacred symbols of this great nation.

Senarai Buku Teks Tahun 2002

Terbitan Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka

Bahasa Malaysia Tahun 1 (DBP-Nurin)

Bahasa Malaysia Tahun 2 (DBP-Mahir)

Bahasa Malaysia Tahun 3 (DBP)

Bahasa Malaysia SK Tahun 4 (DBP)

Bahasa Malaysia SK Tahun 5 (DBP)

B. Malaysia SK Tahun 6 (DBP)

B. Malaysia Progresif Dewan Tingkatan 1 (DBP)

Bahasa Malaysia KBSM Tingkatan 2 (DBP)

Bahasa Malaysia KBSM Tingkatan 3 (DBP)

Bahasa Malaysia KBSM Tingkatan 4 (DBP)

Bahasa Malaysia Tingkatan 5 (DBP)

Amalan Bahasa Malaysia Kelas Peralihan (DBP)

Teknologi B. Malaysia Kelas Peralihan (DBP)

Note: DBP has rejected the manuscript. After that, Uthaya has started to publish his books himself; Sasterawan Pulau Cinta being the first, in 2001 and followed by Panchayat, a Bahasa Malaysia novel, in 2002. As for Seutas Rantai Loceng Suasa, Uthaya now has a clearer picture about some of the writers involved and thus decided not to waste his time – and money – publishing it. Instead, he published an anthology of short stories by Malaysian Indian Writers, Vanakam, in 2002.

Krisis 13 Mei Bakal Berulang Berikutan Isu Bahasa Malaysia? Bacalah sendiri.

My Right to Use “Bahasa Malaysia”

- New Straits Times, 3 November 1999

- SuaraAnum.com, 1 April 2002