KUCHING: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) launched its Agenda 2023 here Wednesday with an aim to empower the Malay language in the state.
DBP Sarawak Director Abang Haliman Abang Julai said Agenda 2023 will list out programmes that will be held throughout this year, especially for the people of Sarawak.
“In general, around 122 programmes are planned and recorded in Agenda 2023.
“However, we expect that our programmes will be much more than planned should there is a request from synergistic partners, NGOs and agencies under the Sarawak government or federal agencies to hold programmes or activities that are in line with their roles and responsibilities,” he said.
Abang Haliman also said that the launch of the Agenda 2023 is an added value to highlighting the agency’s role and responsibilities.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol who launched the Agenda 2023 said afterwards that the priority of programmes organised through the agenda were also aimed at uniting and strengthening unity among the community.
This is besides helping to empower the national language, he said.
“Through the programme we will also share information that in the Sarawak Constitution there is no official language, that we also attach importance to the use of English as the language of communication, the language of knowledge and so on.
“On the basis of national spirit, supporting the Rukun Negara, we use the national language as the main language in official state affairs… but at the level of the Sarawak government, we also do not mind using English for correspondence and so on,” he said.
Also present were Sarawak State Library Chief Executive Japri Bujang Masli, UNIMAS Senior Lecturer Chuah Kee Man and other representatives.
