KUCHING: Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka (DBP) is always striving to expand the use of the national language across various media platforms, including new media.
DBP communications and corporate division head Norhasmanalinda Mustafa said this is being implemented through initiatives such as “Kayanya Bahasa Kita,” “Cerianya Bahasa,” and “Peribahasa Pagi,” which have garnered wide attention from listeners.
“Recently, DBP has become increasingly popular on social media through the use of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, as they actively share various knowledge such as language awareness, proverbs, idioms, rhymes and Jawi writing,” she said during a courtesy visit to the DBP board member, Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir, who is also the Sarawak Tribune and Suara Sarawak chief executive officer (CEO) here on Tuesday.
According to Norhasmanalinda, sometimes the content displayed on DBP’s social media is based on current issues.
“For example, a proverb of advice: ‘anak itik pandai menari nanti anak angsa terlompat-lompat, rupa cantik dapat dicari, budi bahasa mana tak dapat,’ which means about a mother being too harsh in raising her child, and many more,” she said.
She added that not wanting to be left behind in using digital technology, DBP has carried out various sharing programmes such as forums and webinars with respected speakers online.
Maintaining the Malay language is the responsibility of all Malaysians, she emphasised.
“If not maintained, ‘hilang bahasa, lenyaplah’ (the loss of language will lead to the disappearance of the nation) quoting a famous anecdote from Hang Tuah, ‘takkan Melayu hilang di dunia,’” she said.
