Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim Calls for Fresh Ways to Keep Malay Language Alive

Singapore should keep finding engaging, creative ways to bring Malay language and culture to people of all ages, Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim said at a ceremony marking the end of Malay Language Month 2026. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs, who chairs the Malay Language Council of Singapore, spoke at Wisma Geylang Serai on November 12. Zhulkarnain urged organisers to work closely with partners to introduce new ideas and create more meaningful experiences for audiences and participants. He said reaching young people and young families should be a particular priority, pointing to the home as the first place children encounter their mother tongue through conversations and stories shared with parents and grandparents. Using Malay from an early age can help build a closer, more meaningful connection with the language, he said. Zhulkarnain also thanked the partners who helped organise the month-long programme, which ran from August 14 to October 11. Speaking to reporters, he said participation across the 2026 activities reached 104,000 people, the highest total in six years. Support from Malay Activity Executive Committees also rose by 45 per cent compared with 2025, according to the report. But Zhulkarnain said the programme’s value should not be measured only by attendance, the number of partners or how many activities were held. He said organisers also wanted to understand what participants experienced and whether the events helped nurture lasting appreciation for Malay. He hoped the initiative would encourage more people to feel confident using the language in everyday life, whether at home, at school, at work or with friends. Each conversation, he said, offers a chance to keep Malay relevant and thriving in the community. The article ends mid-sentence while describing his hopes after the 2026 programme concluded.