Govt has ‘duty’ to accept English but Official letters not in BM will be returned, can the return improves the weak ringgit and brain drain: Grand plans for Malaysians working in Singapore

SIBU: The Federal Government is obligated to accept letters that are written in English in official communications from Sarawak, says state Deputy Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Michael Tiang.

“The Federal Government, in fact, has a duty to entertain English letters from Sarawak for official communications, as the National Language Act 1963/67 was never extended to Sarawak,” he said in a statement yesterday.

“Sarawakians are therefore free to opt to use English or Malay for letters to federal government departments since both languages are official languages in Sarawak.

“Particularly the use of the English language in Sarawak which is guaranteed by Article 161(3) of the Federal Constitution.”

ALSO READ: Federal Govt must accept official correspondence in English, says Sarawak minister

He was responding to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s directive to all government departments and universities not to entertain any letters written in languages other than Bahasa Malaysia.

Tiang, who is also Pelawan assemblyman, reminded the Prime Minister that English and Malay are official languages in Sarawak.

In KOTA KINABALU, Deputy State Secretary (Development) Datuk Dr Ahemad Sade said Sabah will keep to its optional use of English in all its official correspondence until decided otherwise by the state leadership.

“This (directive) was announced by the Federal Government, so we will look at it in detail,” he said after an event yesterday.

The question of whether to follow this policy, he said, will be discussed in a meeting with the state leadership closer to or after the state assembly meeting scheduled for the end of next month.

ALSO READ: Sabah keeping to optional use of English in correspondence until further notice

“For the time being, both Malay and English can be used,” he added.

Former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak, who is Usukan assemblyman, said new policies should be coordinated with Sabah and Sarawak before being implemented.

He said that this is to ensure a smooth implementation while also bringing benefits to all.

“It cannot be denied that Malay is our national language, and we welcome this new policy (directive on all-Malay letters).

“But the importance of English also can’t be questioned,” he said during an excellence in education event in the Kota Belud district yesterday.

Another former chief minister, Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, said the policy could be detrimental to economic development.

LSO READ: Provide an early foundation in English

He noted that some government departments, by necessity and the nature of their work, must communicate in English.

“English is the lingua franca of international trade, communication and diplomacy.

“I am not only referring to Wisma Putra (Foreign Ministry) but also to agencies like the Malaysia Industrial Development Authority, Malaysia Trade Agency and Bank Negara.

“Returning incoming mail that is written in languages other than Bahasa Malaysia will also send a negative message to the international community.

“It will suggest that Malaysia is not open to foreign investment or trade and that it is not interested in collaborating with other countries,” he said in a statement.

Parti Warisan deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking said the directive should not have been issued arbitrarily but only carried out after seeking the feedback and consensus of the Sabah and Sarawak governments

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Sabah keeping to optional use of English in correspondence until further notice

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Grand plans for Malaysians working in Singapore

King: Lies will ruin country, speak the truth, avoid slander

Slander and lies will undermine the country’s stability and harmony, says Yang di-pertuan Agong Al-sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-mustafa Billah Shah. His Majesty has called on the people to emulate the Prophet Muhammad’s noble character in speaking the truth.

Governing in wisdom: The King and Queen (second and third from left, respectively) attending the national-level Maulidur Rasul celebration at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre. Their Majesties are flanked by the Prime Minister and his wife. — Bernama

Former Honoured: civil servant Shaariah Dahman receiving her Maulidur Rasul award from the King, watched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar. There were five other recipients of the award at the federal level. 

The Yang di-pertuan Agong Al-sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-mustafa Billah Shah called on the people to emulate the Prophet Muhammad’s noble character in speaking the truth, being honest and avoiding slander and lies.

Sultan Abdullah said words in the form of insults, lies and slander only undermine the country’s stability and harmony.

“Let us take heed of the fall and collapse of civilisation and the great powers of the world as a result of the culture of slander that dominated and festered in the lives of its people,” the King said in conjunction with the national-level Maulidur Rasul celebration at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre yesterday, Bernama reported.

Sultan Abdullah said after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, the phenomenon of slander led to a tragic event in Islamic history through the assassination of the third caliph, Saidina Uthman Affan.

“That’s how great a ‘fitnah’ (slander) and deception could be; they not only shed the blood of a great Islamic leader but have also destroyed the harmony and stability of the country.”

The Yang di-pertuan Agong said Muslims have always been reminded to avoid and stay away from people who do not speak the truth.

“The teachings of Islam brought by the Prophet Muhammad encompassed various aspects of human life, including navigating and governing a country with various races and religions, as well as a spectrum of different socio-economic positions.

“The Sirah (history) of Rasulullah also reflects his expertise in governing a country.

“Through his wisdom, Prophet Muhammad has succeeded in freeing mankind from ignorance and building a civilised generation,” Sultan Abdullah said.

The King said the Messenger of Allah had brought the message of Islam to continue to rise and develop in the Middle East and that it became the trigger for the progress and success of communities on other continents, which were in darkness at the time.

His Majesty also said that the Prophet’s noble character was seen as a benchmark of human values in the world’s community.

In conjunction with the celebration, Sultan Abdullah also called on the people to continue upholding the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.

“By doing so, we will be able to develop a civilised, successful, harmonious and prosperous country with its people embodying the virtues of humanity,” the King said.

Sultan Abdullah was also optimistic that Malaysia would reach the peak of real success when Islamic law and the Prophet’s noble character served as the basis of the country’s governance.

“Maqasid Syariah (paramount objectives in Islamic Law) should be used as a basic framework in the delivery of services so that the welfare of the people, which is the government’s responsibility, continues to be safeguarded.

“The people should be determined and committed to continue to practise the teachings brought by the Prophet,” said the Yang di-pertuan Agong.

Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah also attended the celebration, themed “Perpaduan Teras Malaysia Madani” (Unity, the Pillar of Malaysia Madani).

Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

In a Facebook post, Anwar said Prophet Muhammad’s great character and conduct, including his kind and forbearing nature, are the prime examples to follow.

He said the struggle of Prophet Muhammad to preach and guide the people despite facing relentless hostility from his enemies should be an inspiration to persevere in times of hardship.

“Appreciating the struggle of the Prophet Muhammad in leading and uniting various races will certainly raise our awareness to jointly develop this beloved country as a just, peaceful and prosperous one.

“May Allah bestow His blessings and continued prosperity upon the Prophet Muhammad,” the Prime Minister said.

Separately, thousands of Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak enthusiastically took part in the Maulidur Rasul celebration to reflect on the struggles for community development inherited from Prophet Muhammad.

A drizzle in SARAWAK did not dampen the spirits of 10,991 participants from 248 contingents representing various departments and agencies who gathered in Kuching for the assembly and parade at Padang Merdeka.

The event, which started at 7.30am yesterday, was attended by Sarawak Yang di-pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and the state government leadership.

In SABAH, over 10,000 people participated in the state-level Maulidur Rasul parade and gathering at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) in Kota Kinabalu.

More than 100 contingents, consisting of government departments, agencies and non-governmental organisations, took part, covering a distance of about 3km from Padang Merdeka to the SICC.

The parade was led by Sabah Yang di-pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.

Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmy Yahya, and state assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M. Yahya.

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King: Speak the truth, avoid slander

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