Do we need to enforce the use of Bahasa?

My view is : NO NEED.

There's no doubt that we should be using Bahasa Malaysia but not necessarily to use force in order to achieve the so-called patriotism as 'full use' of the language doesn't mean that we are all patriotic, pro-Malaysia or Malay. The language will be loved or preferred by all Malaysian if it serves the purpose of an efficient communication language. There shall be no suspicion about it nor worry about its usage and importance.

In my case, as a Chinese Sabahan/Malaysian at the age of 57 years who had not been educated in Bahasa Malaysia from young, the encouragement of the use of language is acceptable but not with the 'harsh' tone of enforcement etc.

 

The 20-point agreement in the formation of Malaysia had clearly stated of the rights of using other languages freely, and this had sown the seed of diversity in the use of languages in the country, and because of this, we are better off than many neighbouring countries although it may seem at times that we are lacking the impression of dominant of the national language. In reality, the Bahasa, our national language, has been widely used, and in time to come it may eventually grow to the extent of 100% usage in all the levels of the society.

Therefore, it's unnecessary for us to amplify this matter by overly promoting the national language by jeopardizing the use of other existing languages which are of national interests too.

By the way, Sabah UMNO, or even UMNO in Semenanjung,  must be sensitive in their approach in promoting the national language. They should avoid causing resentments over the issue by intimidating other language users.

By the way, after reading the following Jamawi's comment on KJ's AGM speech last year, I think he is not an extremist who will hurt the feelings of his fellow Sabahan or Malaysian in general.



http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/14/nation/20091014135546&sec=nation
Get rid of siege mentality, Khairy urges Malays

 





http://www.thenutgraph.com/will-khairy-succeed/Jamawi (Courtesy of Jamawi Jaafar) 
Additionally, Khairy’s message may sell better in some places than others, notes Youth executive council member Jamawi Jaafar, who is from Sabah.

Jamawi explains that Umno in Sabah can’t afford to be locked in the straightjacket of “Malay supremacy” because party membership includes those of other faiths as long as they are bumiputera. Hence, Khairy’s message may be more well accepted in Sabah than in the peninsula.