DESPITE being rebuffed by Indonesia, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday doubled down on his plan to make Bahasa Melayu the mainstream language among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.

However, he noted that the matter needs careful planning so that the Malay language could be made the lingua franca again.

He added this included the aspects of research, publication and nurturing of the Malay language.

“The Malay language has its own uniqueness and advantages, especially among the ASEAN countries, and can be made one of the official languages of the region,” he said when opening the International Symposium on Bahasa Melayu at Wisma Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka yesterday.

However, netizens were unimpressed with Ismail Sabri’s insistence on the matter despite other problems plaguing the country and criticised the former on social media.

Leading the criticism was former Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) CEO Jalil Rasheed.

“Yes this is the most pressing issue in the country that needs to be addressed,” he jested.

Elaborating, Jalil said that for a country to promote the use of their language to others, one has to become an economic powerhouse such as China.

Echoing Jalil’s sentiments, user RokuTomato added: “For Malay to be lingua Franca is for the country to be a powerful economic force first. He just don’t understand the concept.”

Netizen Sanen Marshall retorted:

Currently, Malaysia is plagued with several issues particularly rising cost of living. With the ringgit weakening against the greenback at RM4.40, experts have projected that Malaysia import bill will soar soon.

In terms of food import alone, Malaysia’s price tag for it comes to RM50 bil annually and the sum is expected to rise given ringgit’s depreciation.

And right now, the rise in food prices is already affecting the masses as several states are reporting shortage of chicken supply due to supply disruption.

With that, several traders have taken their own initiative to ration purchases. Despite chicken price being capped at RM8.90 a kilogramme, some places are reported to be selling them at RM12/kg due to low supply.

Political survival vs national interest

On that note, user Aizad Khair told Jalil that harping on the Malay language was Ismail Sabri’s way to reinforce identity politics, which was relevant for the latter’s political survival.

Netizen Zakwan remarked: “Every time I see an UMNO leader talking about promoting Bahasa Melayu, I find it hypocritical considering…. well….. did they bother to check the word “UMNO” is in what language?

“This whole charade is just to hide his lack of proficiency in English,” – May 23, 2022