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Indonesia, with language imposition on her populace, has yet to produce unity, progress and integration. Though some ancient civilisations through conquests have succeeded (at the expense of millions of innocent lives), the loss in languages by which knowledge, values, and histories are transmitted is immeasurable. The obsession with a national language is a pretext of the majority's prejudice and contributes no significant advancement and benefits to society at large.

Diversity in cultures and languages, in fact, promotes better understanding, increases economic activities, and more importantly, cohesiveness. The outcomes, undoubtedly, would be real mutual respect, realisation of human interdependence, and ultimately, survival in today's global reconfiguration. Learning about other countries with no focus on national language and specific culture would be a good start for comparison.

Current debates on national language are mind-boggling. Other languages are deemed an impediment to national unity. In the language of science and mathematics, there seems to be an unequivocal agreement of a superiority. Undesired languages are viewed less in value, knowledge, or monetary terms. There is an obvious bias.

Conventional languages (or formal) have flaws and hidden agendas for most. Lay languages like "bahasa pasar" and ebonics are free from design and may actually convey more accurately of desires and actions. The richness and beauty of these languages are not appreciated because they belong to the poor and disenfranchised.

The "good bahasa Melayu" has undergone tremendous changes. Incorporation of English is ever increasing to a point that the original language seems to have been displaced. The irony here is that the language of the former colonial master is accepted readily regardless of the implication to its own identity and soul. Various proponents of English argue out of necessity to compete and stay ahead. However, there is a marked shortsightedness in this thought.

The Chinese, Hindi, and Spanish languages, among others, are the most widely spoken on this planet Earth. Competencies in these languages can surely expand trade, jobs, know-how, and so forth. There is no shortage of local resources but because of unyielding minds, the worth of "other" languages is not treasured or recognised.

Evidence from Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines have revealed that the issues of national language have little relationship with unity or anything. Ethnic Chinese and other minorities are still being discriminated and targeted in many riots.

As Tadin Sahak confirmed in his letter Bahasa Melayu still a subtitle language , it doesn't matter if the non-Malay can speak the national language or have indeed aspiration to serve in government. The bottom line is racial. Despite so many voices from the lay communities, many in the majority still unable to penetrate the veils that actually do them more harm than good.

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