KUCHING: The Sarawak Government remains committed to strengthening the role of the Malay language as the national language and a pillar of unity among the people.
Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister, Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, said the state government has always welcomed and supported continuous efforts to ensure that the empowerment of the Malay language remains a key national development agenda.
He said this aligns with Sarawak’s aspiration to become a prosperous and developed State by 2030.
“The empowerment of the Malay language as the national language is crucial in supporting the leadership narrative of the Sarawak Government today.
“In fact, the efforts by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) to elevate the language and strengthen local literature must be supported by all parties,” he said.
His speech was read by Head of the Higher Education Division, Sharifah Fariah Syed Junaidi, during the Kenyalang Ink Awards (MATK) and the Launch of the National Language Month (BBK) 2025 for Sarawak at Balai Budaya, DBP Sarawak Branch, here today.
Sagah also expressed his appreciation to DBP Sarawak Branch for playing a key role in nation-building through various language, literature and special publication programmes based on local wisdom.
He added that the state government has allocated funds to DBP Sarawak Branch to implement various initiatives related to ethnic languages, culture, oral literature, and state history.
“I am confident that DBP will continue to excel in fulfilling this responsibility,” he said.
Sagah noted that the implementation of the 2025 National Language Month serves as an important platform to foster the people’s spirit, love and pride for the Malay language as a symbol of national unity.
Also present were DBP Director of Language and Literature Development Department, Abang Haliman Abang Julai; Director of DBP Sarawak Branch, Dr Azizul Ismail; and DBP Board Member, Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir.
The event also saw the presentation of four major awards: the Sarawak Secondary School Magazine Citra Award 2025, Sarawak Writers’ Works Critical Essay Writing Competition 2025, Sarawak Tunas Literary Prize 2025, and Sarawak Literary Prize 2025.
