MALAY LANGUAGE FOURTH WIDELY SPOKEN LANGUAGE

KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama) -- The Higher Education Ministry has found out that the Malay language is the fourth widely spoken language in the world, said its deputy minister Idris Harun.

He said curriculum programmes that were practical and technical in nature
must go on to support programmes in upholding the language and the Malay people.

"These efforts are important in sustaining the Malay culture and traditional
heritage from the effects of global development," he said.

He said this in a speech at the Academy of Malay Studies (APM) Festival,
which was read by Higher Education deputy director-general Mohd Yusof
Kassim at the University of Malaya (UM) Friday.

He said the Malaysian community today, including the Malays, was more
comfortable adopting the Western culture which affected the continuation of the
Malay tradition.


He said organising programmes such as this not only involved those from the
APM and UM, but also cooperation from outsiders.

"These programmes also expose students to organisational and leadership
skills, which will produce quality graduates," he said.

He added the programme was an arena to scout for new talent through the
various activities organised.

"This is in line with one of the government's goals to produce more
versatile and high calibre graduates in all fields," he said.