Bahasa Melayu, the national language of this country, is capable of transforming the thinking and actions of the Malaysian people.

NONE Information, Communications and Culture Ministry secretary-general Kamaruddin Siaraf ( right ) said today if the Japanese language could transform the Japanese people's thinking and the German language doing the same for the Germans, surely Bahasa Melayu could not only transform the thinking of the Malays but the Malaysian people in general.

"Bahasa Melayu is also the language of unity for Malaysia's multiracial and multicultural population," he said at the closing and prize presentation ceremony for the ministry's Sahibba and Pantas Jawi competitions at the National Library in Kuala Lumpur.

"As patriotic citizens, regardless of our race and background, we must continue to struggle for and uphold the importance of Bahasa Melayu."

Kamaruddin also said that in facing future challenges, the reading culture must be inculcated among the public, as reading was the vital foundation to master all fields of knowledge, including economy and politics.

We should study the great local written works 

He suggested that Malaysians study great local written works like Sulatus Salatin, Tajus Salatin, Hikayat Hang Tuah and Tuhfatun Nafis , which are available at the National Library.

He said there were about 4,600 old Malay manuscripts in the National Library, and it was believed there were 20,000 of these all over the world for the people to benefit from studying them.

On another note, Kamaruddin said the organising of activities like the Sahibba and Jawi competitions were small yet very meaningful efforts by the ministry to strengthen the position of the Malay language.

"Such competitions challenge one's mind, speed and creativity with words," he added.

Maiyumi Ahmat from the Tun Abdul Razak Institute of Broadcasting and Information was champion in the Sahibba competition, with Norrol Hamshinar Kamarudin from the Information Department Malaysia the runner-up and Mohd Fazli Mohd Zulkifli from the Pahang Information Department in third place.

In the Pantas Jawi or Quick Jawi competition, Mohd Zailani Othman from the Pahang Information Department was top, Nurunnadia Abdullah from the Kedah Information Department the runner-up and Noor Asyikin Yashim from the Bernama Arabic Desk in third spot.

- Bernama