Here’s why over 61 years after Malaysia’s formation, English is still legally Sarawak’s official language
Malaysia recently observed its 67th Merdeka Day and 61st Malaysia Day, two proud celebrations commemorating the unique history of this beloved country we call home. Renowned globally for our cultural diversity and multiracial, multi-religious harmony, this is perfectly exemplified by the East Malaysian territory of Sarawak.
Comprising more than 40 sub-ethnic groups and at least 45 different languages and dialects, Sarawak is home to one of the most diverse diasporas in Malaysia. Moreover, another unique thing about Sarawak is that over 61 years after Malaysia’s independence, it is the only territory in our country that still legally has English as one of its official languages.
So, why is this so? Well, join us as we delve into Sarawak’s unique autonomy that many, especially West Malaysians, don’t know about below.
Legislations that govern the official language in Malaysia
The official language of Malaysia is prescribed by Article 152 of the Federal Constitution to be the Malay language or Bahasa Melayu below:
Furthermore, the National Language Act 1963/1967 iterates Bahasa Melayu as the official language, requiring it to be used for official purposes.
Article 161 of the Federal Constitution
Despite this, there are exceptions to this for the use of English and native languages in Sabah and Sarawak as prescribed in Article 161 of the Federal Constitution below:
This exception has its roots in the ’18-point agreement’ covered by the provisions of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the agreement between Malaya, Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore, which formed Malaysia some 61 years ago.
Hence, in line with MA63, the Federal Constitution was amended to include Sabah and Sarawak’s special position, allowing the 2 territories to use English as their official language, as well as the native languages of the natives of Sabah and Sarawak in the Native Courts or for any native law and custom.
Article 161 above specifically deals with this, prescribing that no act of Parliament terminating or restricting the use of the English language shall come into operation until the Act or its relevant provision has been approved by an enactment of the Legislature of that State.
The Sarawak Legislative Assembly never introduced any enactments to drop English as Sarawak’s official language
Accordingly, the Sarawak Legislative Assembly has never introduced or approved any enactment in regard to the National Language Act 1963/1967, English remains 1 of Sarawak’s official languages until today.
In fact, Article 26(8) of the Sarawak Constitution iterated that for a period of 10 years and thereafter until the Legislature by law otherwise provides, all proceedings in the Dewan may be in the English language, and subject to the standing orders of the Dewan Undangan Negeri, members may use any native language in addressing the Dewan.
While the exception extends to Sabah too, the Sabah Legislative Assembly had approved an enactment restricting the use of English through the National Language (Application) Enactment 1973. This puts Sarawak in a unique position as the only region in Malaysia to still have English as 1 of its official languages.
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