By Melissa Heidi
Pictures by Izwan Azman

BANGI, 1 May 2017 – The development of the Malay Language Standard Framework (KSBM) is aimed to measure the efficiency and skills of Malay language speakers in Malaysia, said Principal Fellow of Institute of Ethnic Studies UKM, Prof Dato’ Dr Teo Kok Seong.

“We cannot deny that KSBM is an important niche and is pivotal for the development of Malay Language,” he said in his keynote address at the Seminar of KSBM, themed Pembangunan Kerangka Standard: Kebitaraan Bahasa Melayu, here recently.

Meanwhile, UKM Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Industry and Community Partnerships, Prof Dato’ Dr Imran Ho Abdullah said there is currently no standardized framework for the Malay Language.

“Hence, KSBM can be the tool used to measure the competency level of Malay Language speakers,” he said.

The seminar discussed issues pertaining to KSBM with participants actively sharing their thoughts and ideas about the current proficiency of the Malay Language and the proliferation of knowledge about the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

The seminar was also seen as an effort of the Ministry of Education in order to uphold Malay Language as a niche in Malaysia, in line with the mission and vision of the 2017 Cultural Congress recently.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of various parties such as the Institute of Teacher’s Education Malaysia, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Tenaga Nasional.