Bandar Seri Begawan - It has been 50 years since Bahasa Melayu (Malay Language) was proclaimed as the official language in Brunei Darussalam's Constitution, serving as the most used language in the country for decades.

A special forum was co-organised by the Brunei Language and Literature Bureau yesterday, broadcast 'live' from RTB's new complex in Sungai Akar, attended by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Awg Hj Ahmad bin Hj Jumat.

The forum panel consisted of Head of Brunei History Centre Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Mahaja Dato Seri Utama Dr Hj Awg Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri, Attorney-General Datin Paduka Hajah Hayati Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Dato Seri PadukaAwg Hj Mohd Salleh, as well as former Chief Director of the Malaysian Language and Literature Bureau Dato' Haji A Aziz Deraman.

The Acting Director of Research, Development and International Affairs at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr Mataim Bakar chaired the forum.

In conjunction with five decades of Bahasa Melayu as the official language in Brunei's Constitution, Microsoft and the Government of Brunei had also launched- the Bahasa Melayu (Brunei) Interface Pack for Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007.

The free application delivers a localised interface that enables Bruneians a more vivid PC computing experience.

Country Manager of Microsoft Brunei Sdn Bhd, Chan Wong Kong delivered a briefing on the features of the new application.

"Microsoft's Local Language Program is a global initiative consisting of three 'pillars' that foster the development and proliferation of local and regional groups, enabling them to preserve and promote their language and culture", said Chan.

He explained that the three pillars Language, Technology and Economy/Community are the vital elements behind the success of the application.

Microsoft's LIPS (Language Interface Pack) enable local IT industry infrastructure to further develop, opportunities are created to increase the value of an individual LIP through the development of tools like spelling checkers, translation dictionaries, screen savers and others to meet the specific demands of a burgeoning local market.

The application, which was launched by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports features more than 70,000 entries, marking another milestone in the Brunei Language and Literature Bureau's history, with the cooperation of Microsoft Malaysia and the e-Government Unit from the Prime Minister's Office.

The ceremony was attended by officers from the Brunei Language and Literature Bureau, as well as students from tertiary education institutions who are undertaking courses related to Malay Literature. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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