KUCHING: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) reaffirmed its commitment to preserving and strengthening the Malay language as a pillar of national identity as it commemorated its 70th anniversary today (June 22).
The DBP 70th Anniversary Celebration was officiated by the the Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, together with his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, at a hotel here.
Before the event began, Wan Junaidi and Fauziah took time to visit a special exhibition showcasing DBP’s history, achievements and development over its 70 years of establishment.
The programme was further enlivened with a special performance and video presentation highlighting DBP’s journey in strengthening the Malay language as the national language as well as a language of knowledge since its establishment on June 22, 1956.
This year’s celebration also featured the theme ‘Restu Jiwa Pahlawan’, symbolising the spirit of struggle and the continuity of efforts to elevate the national language and literature.
The theme is derived from the lyrics of the song ‘Dewan Bahasa’, written by National Laureate, Usman Awang, which carries a message on DBP’s role as a national beacon in inspiring the people to uphold the Malay language.
In this context, ‘warrior spirit’ refers to language and literary figures who have fought for the sovereignty of the Malay language as a national identity, in line with DBP’s philosophy of nation-building through language and the spirit embodied in the slogan ‘Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa’.
The programme continued with a special performance before guests dispersed.
Over the past seven decades, DBP has played a crucial role in strengthening the use of the Malay language in education, literature, publishing and the dissemination of knowledge.
DBP also holds an important place in national history when it was recognised as one of the country’s foundational symbols in 1963 by the third Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the late Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, and has continued to strengthen the Malay language as the national language.
The anniversary celebration was preceded by a series of ‘Kembara Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa’ programmes held in Daro on June 15, Gedong from June 17 to 18, and Kuching from June 19, leading up to the main celebration.
The event also brought together representatives from government agencies, uniformed bodies, higher education institutions, primary and secondary schools, as well as community leaders who joined in the celebration.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Francis Harden Hollis; DBP Board of Governors’ Chairman, Datuk Dr Anwar Ridhwan; Secretary-General of the Ministry of Education Malaysia, Datuk Wan Hashim Wan Rahim; DBP Director-General, Datuk Dr Hazami Jahari; DBP Sarawak Branch Director, Dr Azizul Ismail; and DBP Board Member, Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir.
