Its director-general, Hazami Jahari, said official reprimands were also issued to organisers of events and management-level staff for using English in official functions attended by Malaysians.

“Those who do not uphold and use BM in government affairs are not showing respect for the Federal Constitution,” he told Bernama today.

He cited the use of English in public displays, including the names of programmes like “Back to School” and “KL Car-Free Morning”, despite the fact that the majority of the participants were Malaysians.

Hazami also questioned the use of English throughout government events when attended by two or three foreign participants.

“If we go to China, France or Germany, for example, they will use their national language, their mother tongue. We would need to find a translator to understand what they are saying.

“Developed countries show greater respect for their languages. If we want to become a developed country, we must respect our own national language,” he said.

Article 152 of the Federal Constitution sets Malaysia as the national language, and the National Language Act 1963/1967 requires the use of the national language in official matters.

The Education Act 1996 states that Bahasa Melayu is the primary medium of instruction in all educational institutions within the national education system.