By Abdul Rahim Sabri
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 — Four local authorities in Selangor have been recognised as the best for using the Malay language in official affairs according to a Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) audit.
Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka director-general Dr. Hazami Jahari said Shah Alam City Council, Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, Kuala Langat Municipal Council and Sabak Bernam District Council each received a ‘five star’ rating in the National Local Language Rating System.
“The language audit programme is implemented to assess the level and quality of use of the Malay language for official matters involving domestic and foreign affairs,” said Dr Hazami Jahari.
Speaking at the National Language Affirmation Discourse here, he explained that the language audit was based on several important documents, among them is the Service Circular Number 1 2020: Empowering the Use of the National Language in the Public Service.
In addition, five other local authorities in Selangor namely Petaling Jaya City Council, Subang Jaya City Council, Royal Klang City Council, Sepang Municipal Council and Kuala Selangor Municipal Council got ‘four stars’.
Meanwhile, Selayang Municipal Council, Kajang Municipal Council and Hulu Selangor Municipal Council each got a three-star rating.
In order to dignify the national language at the local government level, Dr Hazami suggested that agency heads vigorously enforce language use rules and monitor written materials on public display.
In addition to local authorities, the language audit between 2013 and 2023 also assessed the quality of the use of the Malay language at ministries, agencies, departments, statutory bodies, government-related companies and banks.
Other agencies that also received five stars include the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, the Industry, Plantation and Commodities Ministry, and the Federal Territories Ministry.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Bank Negara Malaysia, National Sports Council, Malaysian Translation and Book Institute, Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, Biosafety Department, and National Arts and Culture Department also received the highest five-star rating.
