The National Language Act 1963/67 (Malay: Akta Bahasa Kebangsaan 1963/67), is a Malaysian law enacted to consolidate the law relating to the use of the national language, as promised by the preceding Malayan government to be done 10 years after its independence.[1]

Structure

The National Language Act 1963/67, in its current form (1 January 2006), consists of 11 sections and no schedule (including 4 amendments), without separate Part.

  • Section 1: Short title, application and commencement
  • Section 2: National language to be used for official purposes
  • Section 3: Use of translation
  • Section 4: Continued use of English may be permitted
  • Section 5: Use of English language may be permitted in Parliament and Legislative Assembly
  • Section 6: Authoritative text of laws
  • Section 7: Written laws enacted prior to 1 September 1967
  • Section 8: Language of Courts
  • Section 9: Script of national language
  • Section 10: Form of numerals
  • Section 11: Forms

Application to Borneo States

Sabah

This Act has been extended to Sabah and approved by the State Legislature of Sabah to be applied to Sabah in 1973 under the National Language (Application) Enactment 1973[2] and Article 161(3) of the Federal Constitution.

Sarawak

This Act does not apply to Sarawak as no enactment or approval has been made by the State Legislature of Sarawak since the formation of Malaysia in 1963 to allow this Act to be applied to Sarawak under Article 161(3) of the Federal Constitution.[3] English continues to be the official language for the state of Sarawak till this day.

References

  1. ^ Adelaar, K. Alexander; Himmelmann, Nikolaus, eds. (2005). The Austronesian Languages of Asia and Madagascar. p. 71. ISBN 0700712860.
  2. ^ "National Language (Application) Enactment 1973" (PDF). The State Attorney-General's Chambers of Sabah. 27 September 1973. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  3. ^ Edward, Churchill (27 October 2023). "Baru: S'wak not bound by National Language Act 1963/1967, English remains one of its official languages". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
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