Datuk Seri Najib Razak proposed toHigher Education Ministryto continue holding diplomatic discussions to set upmore Chairof Malay Language Studies at top-ranked universities in the world in a bid to uplift the status ofMalay languagein the era of information and communication technology (ICT).

At the same time, the prime minister also wanted the ministry to forge closer cooperation with foreign schools and institutions of higher learning, especially in the fields of research,information documentation anddeployment of educators related to the Malay language and literature.

"The growth and development of ICT has, more or less, given a new challenge to Malay language, to enter the cyber world and compete with more dominant languages."

He said this when gracing the Prime Minister's Cup Malay Language International Oratory Competition 2015 finals at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here on Saturday.

Najib also wanted the ministry to introduce and promote Malay language through involvement in international movements and conferences.

The prime minister also proposedforthe ministry to collaborate with Dewan BahasadanPustaka (DBP) and publishing companies in the country to supply reading materials, reference books, and even films, especiallyonMalaysia and Malaycivilisation, language and culture to the international community.

To ensure that the international community would have wide access to the source of accurate and latest information on the various aspects of Malaycivilisation, Najib also proposed for a portal on Malay culture to be developed.

"The reality is, we have torealiseand admit that the Malay language is still deemed a 'young' language, especially in terms of science and technology terminology, compared to the English language, which had been accepted worldwide as the language of ICT.

"Nevertheless, where there's a will, there's a way. Although we accepted and gave ample room for English language to flourish in our national education system, we still made the Malay language as the official language of instruction in the country," he said.

Meanwhile, the oratory competition, which is the ninth in its series, was participated by 71 students of Malay studies in various institutions of higher learning, bothlocaland abroad.

The participants competed in three categories, namely the Alam Melayu category, International category, and International Students in Malaysia category.