KUCHING: The State-level Language and Literature Festival 2024, organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak Branch is one of the ways to empower the Malay language in Chinese schools here.
“Programmes like this are very meaningful in expanding the role and prestige of the national language, literature, culture, and writing, especially for students of Chinese schools here,” said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
He said such efforts complement the government’s agenda to build a prosperous, progressive, and united Sarawak.
“I believe with the organisation of programmes like this, we can produce students who are intellectual, critical thinkers, confident, and sensitive to the issues happening around us,” he said.
“Student involvement in language and literature programmes will be able to create a nation that can communicate well and understand the culture of a multi-ethnic society.”
He said this in his speech, read by Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap during the closing of the festival at Auditorium Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka here on Friday (July 19).
“I believe the organisation of programmes during the 2024 Language and Literature Festival can indirectly contribute to the growth of a culture of knowledge among students of Chinese schools,” he stated.
He expressed his gratitude for the cooperation and support from various parties, especially the DBP Sarawak Branch, the Association of the Management Board of Chinese Private Secondary Schools of Sarawak, and the State Education Department (JPN) for their efforts in strengthening the love for the language, literature, and culture through the organisation of various activities.
“I would like to emphasise that the state government will always support the aspirations of government agencies and private entities that wish to collaborate in enhancing students’ knowledge to achieve the vision of a Prosperous and Progressive Sarawak by 2030,” he said.
Also present during the ceremony were DBP board member Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir and Director of Sarawak Branch DBP Abang Haliman Abang Julai.
