THE DECLINING STATUS OF THE MALAY LANGUAGE AND EFFORTS IN REVITALIZING ITS USE IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

The status of the Malay Language in Singapore has undergone radical changes when People’s Action Party (PAP) won the mandate to form the government in 1959. Many initiatives to promote the Malay Language were carried out; however, the motivation to spread the Malay Language by the government and the multi-racial Singaporeans waned after independence and separation from Malaya. The use of Malay Language has shrunk. The decline in the status of the Malay Language happened in stages. The pull of globalization affecting the Malay community proves daunting and difficult to counter. Although there is a collective consciousness about the declining usage of the Malay Language in Singapore; efforts by various parties that have been carried out, have not improved the situation significantly.