The guru of Malay language
KUALA LUMPUR: THE Federal Territory National Language Month 2012 started on a high note with the bestowing of the Tokoh Pemartabat Bahasa Melayu Federal Territory Award on Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Institute of Malay World and Civilisation Malay sociolinguistics professor, Dr Teo Kok Seong.
Prof Dr Teo Kok Seong (right) receiving the Tokoh Pemartabat Bahasa Melayu Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur 2012 Award from Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing deputy minister M.Saravanan (second from left) at the launch of the Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur National Language Month 2012. Looking on Tuesday. With them are City Hall director-general are Datuk Salleh Yusup (left) and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka language development and literature department director Datuk Abang Sallehuddin Abang Shokeran. Pic by Farizul Hafiz Awang
The recognition came as a surprise to Teo, who is also the institute’s principal research fellow.
“I was shocked to receive the award for my efforts to promote Bahasa Melayu.
“This award is my first since being involved in sociolinguistics and Bahasa Melayu in 1979. “My work aims to ignite love and loyalty for Bahasa Melayu,” said the 59-year-old Chinese Peranakan from Kelantan who started as an English language teacher.
His research includes how well Bahasa Melayu is accepted by the Chinese, and the cultural identity of the Malay community.
Teo is not unfamiliar with the use of Bahasa Melayu as it is commonly spoken among members of the Chinese Peranakan communities.
He received his award at the City Hall Auditorium from Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing deputy minister Datuk M. Saravanan, who launched the language promotion which is on until December.
Also present were City Hall director-general Datuk Salleh Yusup and Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka (DBP) Language Development and Literature Department director, Datuk Abang Sallehuddin Abang Shokeran.
Saravanan said City Hall will ensure that the national language is used on ads, signboards and road names, in line with the advertisement bylaw and the business premises advertisement guidelines.
City Hall, added Salleh, will continue to work closely with DBP with regard to the correct use of Bahasa Melayu, and for it to be displayed prominently on advertisements in public areas and business premises.
Kempen SSS 
Generally if they are well educated – and decently educated – the non Malays know the history of this country, respect and abide by the Constitution of the country. Article 152 Bahasa Malaysia and all.
Except a few like Dr Kua Ka Song one time DAP MP, who fought with the leadership, scooted out of the party. Went to a Chinese school in Kajang, fought over there, too, ran to so-called human rights Suaram, now creating corruption allegation havoc in France and elsewhere.
And so-called “Dr” Yap Tien Sin, President of Dong Zong, the administrators of Chinese schools, which use Manadrain – not BM – as the medium of instruction. But Yap has been proven to use fake PhDs – not one, but two fake PhDs. Imagine that. And yet the errant, non-BM compliant fellows, followed him blindly.
I hope the History syllabus in schools – History will become compulsory beginning 2013 – will dwell on the Constitution, the history of it and the need to respect and live by it, such that a sense of loyalty and patriotism will emerge among future generations in this country.
So long as the non-bumiputeras are officially discriminated via govt policies and practices, I believe no amount of teaching of history can create a sense of patriotism among the future generations. At school, they learn about history and patriotism and they may even read it on their own out of interest but if a home their parents lament about institutionalised racism and when they are a little older they themselves face such discrimination, how do you expect anyone in such a situation to develop a genuine sense of unconditional patriotism?