KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21): Members of Parliament on Wednesday debated the motion of thanks for the royal address, focusing on proposals for a two-term prime ministerial limit, empowerment of the Malay language, anti-corruption measures, and national education reforms. MPs also emphasised the need to strengthen the position of Malay as the national language, arguing its role must go beyond instruction to become a primary language of knowledge, administration and national sovereignty. Datuk Mumtaz Md Nawi (PN-Tumpat) called for the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka to be empowered as the mandatory language authority, with its presence expanded to the district level to act as both a regulator and guardian of the Malay language. Datuk Ahmad Amzad Mohamed (PN-Kuala Terengganu) added that elevating the status of the language is not optional but an obligation aligned with national education policy. Embracing the national language and history is essential to forging a shared identity and unity.

Source: The Edge Markets January 21, 2026 13:57 UTC