By Azrol Azmi & Yusrin Junaidi
Bandar Seri Begawan - The Perdana Forum was held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas Tuesday night and was telecast live on the RTB channel.
Organised by the Language and Literature Bureau in conjunction with the 23`d National Day celebrations, the forum was entitled `Pelestarian Bahasa Melayu Dalam Era Globalisasi` or `Protection Against Destruction of Malay Language in Globalisation Era.`
The event aimed to raise awareness on the effects of globalisation on the Malay language.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports cum guest of honour Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (R) Dato Seri Pahlawan Awang Haji Mohammad bin Haji Daud said that the era of globalisation has always been related to the Info-Communication Technology, which has enabled a borderless world concept.
This, however, has both negative and positive effects. The minister said this during his speech at the forum.
The Malay language is owned by the Malays, it represents their identity, and it is also a communication medium for Malays, the minister went on to add.
Three speakers were invited to elaborate on the positive and negative impact of globalisation on various culture and languages.
They were Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ahmad bin Kadi, Secretary for the Public Entertainment, Picture and Film Censorship Panel, Ministry of Home Affairs of Brunei Darussalam; University Malaya Professor Dr Awang Sariyan; and Universiti Technology Nanyang (Singapore) representative Mohamed Pitchay Gani bin MohamedAbdul Aziz.
Also present at the forum were Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman, officials from various government departments, UBD students and local writers. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
Source: www.brudirect.com (11 April 2007)
