KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 -- For fans of P. Ramlee movie classics, they surely can remember a scene from 'Seniman Bujang Lapok" where a Punjabi watchman at the Malay film Production Studio at Jalan Ampas, Singapore chastised Sudin for using brash Bahasa Melayu when enquiring about a job vacancy.

The lead character, Ramlee, then scolded Sudin for the inappropriate language that he used, and said "bahasa menunjukkan bangsa" (language reflects the race) and the Malays are known for their politeness and courteous ways.


"I think the movie wanted to relay the message that the use of polite words was a crucial element in the practice of noble values and virtue apart from enhancing unity.

"The use of nice and polite words is necessary be it either in writing or spoken as it reflects on the community that uses it," said entertainment industry manager Abdul Rahim Abdul Hamid.

He said what P. Ramlee had wanted to emphasise was, if polite and nice language was used, then people would respect and have high opinion on the community.

"Respect for the community arises from the way of their language', he added.

However while efforts are being made to enhance Bahasa Malaysia among people in the country, ethnic languages should also not be forgotten, he added.

TOOL FOR UNITY, 1MALAYSIA

For academician Yahya Che Amat, the national language is an important tool for the people's unity and it adhered well to 1Malaysia, a concept for national unity of Malaysians mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak.

"They may come from different ethnic groups, cultures, beliefs and political ideologies but they will unite under one national language that is Bahasa Malaysia".

He said Malaysians should have the sense of belonging and care for Bahasa Malaysia as the love and pride to the national language is a symbol of patriotism.

"Hence, unity of the country's plural society is inculcated under one language, the national language as called for in the 1Malaysia concept!", said Yahya.

However while efforts were being made to enhance Bahasa Malaysia as a major language in the world, the mother tongue of ethnic communities in the country should not also be neglected, he added.

POSITION OF THE MALAY LANGUAGE

Members of public have welcomed the government's move to make October the national language month.

Social activist Fatimah Mansur said this augured well with the position of the Malay Language as the official language of the country.

"Bahasa Malaysia as the National Language is stipulated under Article 153 of the Federal Constitution and National Language Act 1967 as well as under Section 5 of the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Act 1959.

"It is also in tandem with the 1Malaysia idea that promotes unity - One Nation, One people, One Voice as enshrined in the 1Malaysia idea," said Fatimah.

She said all of these Acts stressed on the usage and importance of the national language in moulding the national race.

Medical lecturer Dr K. Ling agreed with this view.

"I have attended to many patients that came from various ethnic groups and as far as Sabah and Sarawak. If I spoke and asked them questions in English, in most of the cases the communication was not smooth and difficult.

"Communicating in Bahasa Malaysia made everything easier. It is good if we speak in one language where everybody can communicate with each other. Bahasa Malaysia is the language for all," he added.

LANGUAGE IS THE SOUL OF THE NATION

Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in his speech at the launch of the national-level National Language Month 2009 at Unity Stadium in Petra Jaya, Kuching last Oct 6 said the government hoped to create a Malaysian race proud of Bahasa Malaysia as their identity.

"They should be highly proficient as well as ever ready to provide the appropriate status and willingly promote it wherever they are," he said.

From next year all ministries, state governments and government agencies have been directed to implement programmes for National Language Month throughout October.

National language activities and communication will be elevated throughout the month to widen the use of the national language among the people, Muhyiddin had said.

The theme of the celebration this year is "Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa" (language is the soul of the Nation). It is also Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka's (DBP) motto since its establishment in 1956.

-- BERNAMA
taken from http://www.e-kata.com.my

As in any predominantly Muslim country, you should dress respectfully, particularly in rural areas (wearing trousers or a long skirt, not shorts, and covering your shoulders is recommended but not essential). In more metropolitan areas such as Kuala Lumpur, as well as towns and cities such as Penang and Ipoh with a larger non Muslim population, attitudes are more liberal.

As a tourist, it is best not to criticize the Government and especially the Malay royal families.

When entering a home or a place of worship, always take off your shoes. Also, never eat with your left hand, or give a gift with your left hand; and never point with your forefinger (you may use a closed fist with the thumb instead), point the bottoms of your feet at a person or touch a person's head.