From Bahasa Melayu to Bahasa Malaysia: National Language, Nation-Building, and Ethnic Tensions in Multicultural Malaysia
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Abstract
This study aims to (1) examine the development of Malaysia’s national language from Bahasa Melayu to Bahasa Malaysia within historical, political, and legal contexts; (2) analyze its role in nation-building and state identity construction in a multicultural society; and (3) evaluate the effects of national language policy on interethnic relations among the Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities. Employing qualitative documentary research covering the periods from pre-independence to 2025, the analysis utilizes the concepts of imagined communities, nationalism, and the symbolic power of language.
The findings reveal that establishing Malay as the national language under the Federal Constitution became a key mechanism for public administration, education, and national integration. The alternating use of the terms Bahasa Melayu and Bahasa Malaysia does not signify a change in legal status, but rather reflects a negotiation between affirming Malay identity and constructing a shared Malaysian civic identity. Thus, language policy functions as both a nation-building tool and an arena for power negotiation, particularly concerning the protection of Chinese and Tamil languages, as well as national-type schools. Concurrently, the state must balance the continuing importance of English to maintain linguistic diversity and global competitiveness. These findings broaden the understanding of language policy in managing multicultural states and provide a framework for balancing national language status with ethnic linguistic rights. For Thailand, Malaysia’s experience offers a comparative case study for managing linguistic diversity, particularly in ethnically diverse areas where Malay is used alongside Thai.
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