Izah Azahari
The main theme of Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa for the International Malay Language, Literature and Culture Congress Series is significant for the survival of Malay civilisation.
This was said by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin during the series launch in conjunction with the language month yesterday.
The minister noted that the theme was chosen to refresh the minds and emphasises the importance of language as the soul to the life of its nation, illustrating the three elements of language, culture and nation.
“We will remain united, we will remain strong and we will continue to defend the integrity of the Malay language, literature and culture forever, regardless of the waves that are increasingly squeezing and gripping our lifestyle,” he said.
Earlier, Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan congratulated the Language and Literature Bureau and strategic partner Brunei Darussalam Association of Writers (Asterawani) for the event’s successful launch to equally elevate the dignity of the Malay language.
“Although circumstances have put a pause on physical meets, knowledge and ideas sharing in the new norm are still possible in forming intellectual clusters as a high-impact effort with a wider reach able to transcend the geographical boundaries of the Sultanate,” he said.
Refocussing on the three elements of discussion, the minister said the elements correlate with universality, spirituality, humanity and society in building human life. To realise the aspiration, he said it needs to move in line with the world’s technological advances such as utilising the fourth industrial revolution platform as a value-added variation to highlight, cultivate and elevate the dignity of the Malay language, literature and culture.
Similarly, the minister added that the language, literature and culture congress field is the best platform to achieve the goal through strategic cooperation with partners from foreign countries via the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia Language Council (MABBIM), the Southeast Asia Literary Council (MASTERA), and the Singapore Language Council, combining Malay language, literature and culture experts to provide benefits and space for congressmen to join forces in aspects of induction, education, togetherness activities, forward planning, direction and roadmap.
The minister hoped the spirit and commitment through the congress will always be refreshed as a long-term strategic cooperation in efforts to uphold the Malay language, literature and culture as well as in bringing the Malay language reach throughout the world.
