The National Language Act 1963/67 (), is a Malaysian law enacted to consolidate the law relating to the use of the national language, as promised by the preceding Malayan government to be done 10 years after its independence.
Structure The National Language Act 1963/67, in its current form (1 January 2006), consists of 11 sections and no schedule (including 4 amendments), without separate Part. Section 1: Short title, application and commencement Section 2: National language to be used for official purposes Section 3: Use of translation Section 4: Continued use of English may be permitted Section 5: Use of English language may be permitted in Parliament and Legislative Assembly Section 6: Authoritative text of laws Section 7: Written laws enacted prior to 1 September 1967 Section 8: Language of Courts Section 9: Script of national language Section 10: Form of numerals Section 11: Forms
Application to Borneo States
Sabah This Act has been extended to Sabah and approved by the State Legislature of Sabah to be applied to Sabah in 1973 under the National Language (Application) Enactment 1973 and Article 161(3) of the Federal Constitution.
Sarawak This Act does not apply to Sarawak as no enactment or approval has been made by the State Legislature of Sarawak since the formation of Malaysia in 1963 to allow this Act to be applied to Sarawak under Article 161(3) of the Federal Constitution. English continues to be the official language for the state of Sarawak till this day.
Application to universities and colleges
International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) The Act does not apply or extended to the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) as there are no provisions that allows IIUM to expand it beyond its university purposes. English continues to be the official language of instruction and administration for the university up to this day.
References
External links National Language Act 1963/67 Script of the National Language: Motion by Onn Jaafar, MP for Kuala Trengganu Tengah on 14 December 1959 in the Dewan Rakyat