Govt depts reminded not to entertain letters written in language other than national language

CYBERJAYA - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today reminded all government departments not to entertain any letters written in a language other than the national language.

In his speech at the opening of the National Language Decade carnival and National Reading Decade here, Anwar said he noted that there is a tendency by some parties to deny the fundamentals of the Federal Constitution which requires them to communicate with government departments in national language.

"So, I would like to give a reminder (to all government departments), that if they receive a letter from local companies or public and private universities in a language other than the national language, just return it to the sender.

"The empowerment of culture, language, and literature is an integral part of nation-building, so let us not underestimate it.

"And I hope this reminder is duly noted. The directive is clear, and the Director-General of Public Service (KPPA) Datuk Dr Zulkapli Mohamed is also here...that we shall not entertain any letters written in a language other than the national language,” he said.

Article 152 of the Federal Constitution states that the Malay language or Bahasa Melayu is the national language.

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