Describing the Malay language as a “beautiful and dynamic” one, Member of Parliament for Jurong Group Representation Constituency Rahayu Mahzam said on Saturday (Sept 3) that it was important to keep up efforts in preserving and bringing life to the language from a young age.
“This year, we lost literary giants and language experts Allahyarham Cikgu Muhammad Ariff Ahmad, Cikgu Aliman Hassan and Dr Liaw Yock Fang. With the passing of these culture and literary figures, the responsibility of ensuring the continued usage and love of the Malay language now falls squarely on the shoulders of the next generation.”
Ms Rahayu was speaking at the launch of the Bulan Bahasa 2016 (Malay Language Month 2016) at the National Museum of Singapore this afternoon.
Speaking to TODAY on the sidelines later, she explained that the Bulan Bahasa was initially something that was celebrated every two years, and “it was limited to the literati, those who are very savvy with the language”.
“Then there was the decision to bring in more people and once we started doing it every year, we also started looking at appropriate spaces where there’s a natural crowd and we can bring in families to enjoy and celebrate together,” she said.
They began to scope out locations in the heartlands, intending to focus on just one spot. But they soon realized that they could reach out to more people if activities were expanded to more communities, she added. “So we decided to do more in the heartland and neighbourhoods and it went down very well.”
Organized by the Malay Language Council, Singapore, this year’s festival, which runs from Aug 15 to Oct 15, showcases the dynamism of the Malay language through tours of exhibits and artifacts of significance to the Malay community, such as jewellery from Fort Canning as well as from well-known personalities such as the first President of Singapore Yusof Ishak.
There are also a diverse array of Malay language and cultural activities at the museum and beyond. Over at Nee Soon, Chua Chu Kang and Sembawang, where the festival will also be extended to, residents there get to partake in activities such as Malay handicraft and Traditional Malay games, and view exhibition displays by Malay dialect groups.
Ms Rahayu, who is a first-time chairperson of the Bulan Bahasa committee, said “more than 50 partners have come together to produce over 100 programmes so everyone can continue to enjoy Bahasa Melayu as a beautiful and dynamic language”. New partners this year include Islamic artwork design firm Haz Workz Design, concept creation and production house Big Tree Pictures and youth music group Nusantara Arts.
Mr Ng Chee Meng, Acting Minister for Education (Schools) and Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Transport, who was the guest-of-honour at the launch, said during his speech that the events and programmes in this year’s Bulan Bahasa “are varied, rich and representative of how dynamic and alive the Malay language is in Singapore today”.
“We are here today, because we share a common desire to preserve the Malay language and culture, and to pass on this love for the language and culture to our future generations. In diverse and multi-cultural Singapore, our Mother Tongues are pivotal in strengthening our ethnic roots, as well as our cultural and national identities.”
During the launch, Mr Ng also presented musician Megat Muhammad Firdaus Mohamad, actress Siti Khalijah Zainal and Jamiyah Ar-Rabitah Mosque education officer, Ustazah Nurul ‘Izzah Khamsani with certificates. The trio, who were appointed by the Malay Language Council, Singapore as its new language ambassadors, were chosen for their passion for the Malay language, culture and heritage.
Meanwhile, students will also be heavily involved in the festival. Some 118 students from 60 schools were appointed in May to participate in the preparations for the festival, under its initiative Rakan Bahasa, or friends of the language. The students will be providing special tours at the Singapore History Gallery, as part of a special effort to ensure the Malay language and culture is appreciated by non-Malay speakers as well.
Additionally, there is Rentak Kita!, a Malay Traditional Orchestra performance with sharing sessions in both English and Malay conducted by Orkestra Sri Temasak, which was founded by musicians Megat Muhammad Firdaus Mohamad and Afi Hanafi.
Ms Rahayu said the increased programmes in the heartlands align with the future direction of Bulan Bahasa. “It allows us to showcase the platform to non-Malays at the grassroots level and that allows Malay as a national language to reach out to the masses,” she said.
“I think (the future) direction is greater outreach, definitely, and a more impactful experience for those who participate in Bulan Bahasa as well as extending this spirit of preserving the Malay language culture over and beyond the two months of the festival,” she added.
Source: www.todayonline.com
