Kuala Lumpur - The Umno Overseas Clubs Alumni wants the government to revert to using the term "Bahasa Melayu" for the national language.
Its deputy chairman Datuk Mohamad Rais Zainuddin said the term "Bahasa Malaysia" did not exist in the Federal Constitution which said that "Bahasa Melayu" would be the official language of the Federation, and as such, its status must be protected.
A resolution to the effect was passed at the Third Malay Agenda seminar held here on Sunday, he told reporters on the sidelines of this year`s Umno General Assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre here Thursday.
"We fear there might be legal ramifications if Bahasa Melayu is not given the status accorded by the Constitution. It`s not something that can be changed because of a consensus or a Cabinet decision," Rais said.
According to him, the alumni was also drawing up a plan which would act as a guide for the Malays to ensure continuity of leadership in future.
On Monday, Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin had said that the government`s decision to use the term "Bahasa Malaysia" and not "Bahasa Melayu" for the national language was final.
Source: www.bernama.com.my (9 November 2007)
