What legal changes are needed to amend the DBP Act for enforcement?

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Amendments to the DBP Act are being considered to enable stronger enforcement of national language usage.

The Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, has indicated that the Public Service Department (JPA) needs to investigate corrective and punitive actions for non-compliance with Service Circular No. 1 2020, which focuses on empowering the National Language in public service. This move is prompted by the current lack of legal recourse for violations of national language usage directives.
Need for Amended Legislation for Enforcement

The existing legal framework, including current acts, circulars, and regulations, does not provide for legal action against individuals or entities that fail to adhere to instructions regarding the use of the national language. This gap prevents effective consequences for non-compliance, despite the government's commitment to enforcing language policies.
Prime Minister's Call for DBP Act Revision

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, has previously stated the necessity to amend the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Act. Such amendments are intended to grant the DBP greater authority and capability to implement and enforce laws and regulations pertaining to language use across various sectors.
Focus on Corrective and Punitive Measures

The intention behind these potential changes is not to intimidate but to ensure the national language is treated with due importance. The JPA is tasked with exploring specific corrective and punitive measures that can be imposed on those who disregard directives aimed at elevating the status of the Malay language within the public service.

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What legal changes are needed to amend the DBP Act for enforcement?

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