REBRANDING RTM2 to create a more multiracial flavour and, at the same time, promote the national language is a positive move on the part of the Information Ministry.

As Malaysians, we appreciate that there will be more programmes on RTM2 where more non-Malays will be using the national language.

This will help others not only to master the language but also make them feel that the national language is owned by all Malaysians, irrespective of race.

Nevertheless, some issues are afflicting our television channels, which are quite unpleasant to viewers of the present generation.

First, comedy programmes involving non-Malays speaking Bahasa Malaysia in a stilted way to draw laughter and make fun of non-Malays who do not speak the language well should be scrapped.

Second, some Bahasa Malaysia news readers use too many foreign words that ordinary viewers are not familiar with. Diluting Bahasa Malay-sia with too many foreign words is irksome.

Bahasa Malaysia is a graceful language if spoken in the traditional way — in its standard form and without too many foreign words degrading it.

One just cannot figure out why foreign words must be widely used when there are long-used equivalent words in the Malay language.

For instance, loan words such as logika ide, rasional, terma, produksi, handikap and so forth are mind-boggling words to many viewers.

If news editors have difficulty in finding genuine or equivalent words in Malay, they can always refer to Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.

Language is no doubt a living subject but this does not necessarily mean that it should replace existing commonly used words with foreign words. I cannot agree more with linguists who point out that when we already have a word in the Malay language which has been used for centuries, it is not necessary to take its foreign equivalent.

Third, the information minister should take into consideration the standard way of speaking Bahasa Malaysia.

Newsreaders should speak Bahasa Malaysia the way it has been traditionally spoken and in its standard form, which is accepted by all Malaysians.

Giving it an English twang is unnecessary.

The standard Malay accent is most appropriate to read news in Bahasa Malaysia.

The public who cherish the elegance of the Malay language in its original standard form will agree that there is nothing stylish to the language when it is given an English accent when spoken unless, of course, the person who reads the news is a native speaker of English.

The Information Ministry should ensure that whoever speaks Bahasa Malaysia on television should conform to the acceptable Malay way in which the language is used and spoken to encourage more viewers to do the same.

DR M.A. NAIRBandar Muadzam Shah

Source: NST – January 2, 2008