I browse on the internet on any related Muslim news around the world and suddenly i found some interesting articles to share with you guys and i wonder what if Malaysia did this things... Please read.
Breach of Jawi, Malay rule to be made punishable
Malay Language Act in the works
Malay Language Act in the works
THE government will enact a law stipulating punitive actions against those who will continue to disregard calls for the use of the Jawi script and the Malay language as the official language of the Sultanate, an official of the Language and Literature Brunei told The Brunei Times yesterday.
In an exclusive interview, Hjh Aminah Hj Momin, the bureau's acting director, said her office is drafting the "Malay Language Act" and a committee has been assembled to work on its establishment, following a meeting on September 1 this year with the Attorney General Chambers.
The law will address chronic violations against existing regulations requiring the use of the Malay language in official communication as well as the use of the Jawi script by business establishments.
The idea of introducing the Act was mentioned by Attorney General Datin Paduka Hjh Hayati Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Dato Seri Paduka Hj Mohd Salleh during a recent Malay Language forum held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Malay as the official language under the Brunei Constitution.
"Right now, we don't have a Language Act yet, we are in the process of drafting it," Hjh Aminah said, adding that details of when it will be introduced have not been decided yet as it will have to undergo several processes prior to its enactment.
The bureau's acting director said that the Act is in response to enforcement concerns relating to the adaptation and application of Malay and Jawi writing at business premises, transportation, government offices, banner and advertising billboards.
Hjh Aminah said that the need to introduce such act was not only based on the mandate that was stipulated in Section 82(1) of the 1959 Brunei Constitution and the Amendment of Article 82 on the position of Malay as the official language in the country, but also to carry out pronouncements in the titah of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam as well as circulars issued on the use of the Malay language in official documents and communication at government offices.
Hjh Aminah said that the bureau is considering to introduce a fine in the Act, which has been in the drafting stage since 2007, to deter repeat violations.
The offences relating to the use of Malay and Jawi include signboards, billboards and banners where the compulsory use of Malay and Jawi writing is compromised with the display of foreign language, official government documents and communication as well as the usage of foreign language at official high-level state meetings, for instance, the State Legislative Council Meeting.
"A fine on these offences should be able to make the offenders realise that we take this matter seriously," she said.
She added that there have been concerns on businesses set up by foreigners that have disregarded the compulsory use of Malay and Jawi.
At present, the bureau is authorised to advise but not to sanction or punish violators, Hjh Aminah told.
"For now, they won't listen to us because there is no Act, and when there is no Act, no punishments can be taken," Hjh Aminah said, adding that in the past the bureau could only write advisories to the offenders.
The acting director added: "We (the bureau) cannot punish them at the moment because we do not have the Act yet and due to this, the Malay language will sooner or later be placed under threat as people just do not care about the importance of the language (Malay) anymore,"
Hence, she said, as the bureau feels that the Malay language could face the threat of losing its supremacy in a country that upholds the philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), it is imperative that the Act is introduced to protect the position, integrity and superiority of Malay as the official language of the country.
The Brunei Times
Source: http://www.bt.com.bn/en/news-national/2009/10/27/breach-jawi-malay-rule-be-made-punishable
