KUCHING: The state-level ‘National Language Month (BBK) 2014’ organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) will be launched at Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) auditorium by Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem this Oct 15.


Dr Hazami (centre) at a press conference on state-level BBK 2014 at the state DBP office in Petra Jaya.

The campaign, held for the first time in October last year, aims at empowering the usage of Bahasa Melayu among Malaysians.

“Bahasa Melayu can be the unifying factor among Malaysians, especially in Sarawak, which has more than 30 ethnic groups each with their own dialects,” state DBP director Dr Hazami Jahari told a press conference recently.

He also said prior to the official state-level launch, a Kembara Bahasa would be flagged off in Lawas by Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan on Oct 12.

To be divided into two, Dr Hazami said one group would head to Bintulu while the other would proceed to Sabah.
“In Bintulu, several activities will be held from Oct 15 to 18 at the BDA Complex including a language colloquium, creative writing workshop and the launch of ‘Rakan DBP’.

“In Kuching, a number of programmes will take place at the state DBP office in Petra Jaya from Nov 3 to 9,” he said, adding that it would be opened Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah on Nov 3.

“Apart from workshops and talks, we are also inviting several agencies such as the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), police and representatives from institutions of higher learning to set up their exhibition booths,” Dr Hazami said.

A book fair would also be held at the DBP Hall, selling a wide range of titles at discounted prices.

Another highlight at the event here, said Dr Hazami, would be an appreciation night dedicated to legendary arts and film laureate P. Ramlee on Nov 5, to be officiated by Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The ‘Majlis Tinta Kenyalang dan Malam Lestari Bahasa’ will then be held on Nov 7 at Imperial Hotel, to be opened by Awang Tengah.

This would be followed by ‘Dendang Nurani’ the night after, and a children’s story-telling and colouring competition on Nov 9 at the DBP Hall.

The national BBK 2014 will be launched by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhiyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, in Putrajaya on Oct 14.