How Malaysia's Language Policies Impact Nation Building

What is it about?

The paper is about Malaysia's language policies regarding the use of Bahasa Malaysia and English as the medium of instruction (MOI) in schools since the country's independence. The paper discusses how these policies are shaped by different ethnic and social groups' competing views on the two languages, and how the language debate in Malaysia is emotional and divisive. The paper argues that the recent act known as 'To Uphold Bahasa Malaysia & To Strengthen the English Language' (MBMMBI) is a necessary response to globalisation and the need to maintain national cultural identity.

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Photo by Yosuke Ota on Unsplash

Photo by Yosuke Ota on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This paper is important because it discusses the role of English in aiding the development of the nation in Malaysia, and argues for English to be given a more stable and strategic status alongside Malay as the national language. It also explores the language debate in Malaysia, including the resistance posed by Malay intellectuals to the use of English as the medium of instruction for science and technology. This paper provides insights into the complex sociolinguistic issues surrounding language policy and nation-building in Malaysia, and offers suggestions for how Malaysia can strategically reposition itself through embracing English for national development.