RM50K And Jail Time If You Disrespect Bahasa Malaysia, DBP Push For New Laws To Preserve National Language

The two punishments are among the items proposed in the amendments to the DBP Act 1959.

For illustration purposes

Subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest stories and updates.

Anyone who disrespects the national language can be fined up to RM50,000 or sentenced to imprisonment through amendments to the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Act 1959.

According to Malay Mail, DBP board of governors chairman Prof Datuk Seri Awang Sariyan said the two punishments were some of the items proposed in the amendments to the act.

The proposed changes are now in the final stage of discussion before it’s presented to the prime minister next month.

This is not about grammar or spelling errors, but disrespect for the national language. The proposed fine is not to punish but to evoke love and patriotism to the country.
DBP board of governors chairman Prof Datuk Seri Awang Sariyan

Awang added that DBP also proposed that the National Language Act be amended in line with the amendments to the DBP Act so that it could carry out its duties as a language enforcer more effectively.

He also said the amendments should be implemented holistically, not only in terms of enforcement but also in the aspect of internationalisation, accreditation and licensing of literary languages.

DBP asked to amend the Act before

If this sounds familiar, it’s because DBP tried to propose to the government to amend the DBP Act in 2020 for similar reasons.

DBP proposed to have the DBP Act amended to help raise public awareness of using the Malay language responsibly.

The proposed amendments also allow DBP to take legal action against anyone who “disrespects” the national language.

Share your thoughts with us on TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.