PERJUANGAN DAN CABARAN PELAKSANAAN BAHASA KEBANGSAAN DI MALAYSIA, 1957-1966

Abstract

This article examine the historical development of the national language in Malaysia from 1957-1966. The article discusses the struggles and the challenges faced by the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and specific individuals, and their effort to uphold the national language. In addition it will look at Article 152 (1) of the Federal Constitutions of 1957 that provide for Malay language as the national language of Malaysia. Hence an attempt has been made to consolidate position of the national language in the administration and educational spheres. One of the steps taken is to foster the mutual relations with Indonesia on aspects of the Malay language. Within that period, another area which is discussed is the importance of the language issues in the election manifesto. To elaborate further, this research also traces the development of the national language in Sabah and Sarawak when both of these states joined Malaysia in 1963.