WITH reference to your report “Govt urged to protect status of Bahasa Malaysia” (NST, March 25), I would like to suggest that the government give more power to the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) to moderate the Bahasa Malay-sia-based media’s use of the language.

Bahasa Malaysia has borrowed so many words from other languages, especially English, that it stands to lose its identity. Informasi is used so widely now that maklumat has been forgotten. Aktiviti has replaced kegiatan.

I love Bahasa Malaysia and would like to see it last and not die. However, despite all the talk about upholding the language, not much is actually being done.

The proper use of Bahasa Malaysia must be promoted by DBP.

First, make the media aware of the poor choice of words, then educate them on the proper words that should be used.

IBRAHIM ABD RAHMAN, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – March 31, 2009