DEWAN BAHASA DAN KEBUDAYAAN KEBANGSAAN (Winding-up)

Inche Rahmat bin Kenap asked the Minister for Culture (a) whether the Dewan Bahasa dan Kebudayaan Kebangsaan has ceased to exist and the reasons therefor; and (b) how many officers of the Dewan (i) were transferred to another department or to another Ministry; or (ii) had their services terminated.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture (Inche Sha'ari bin Tadin) (for the Minister for Culture): (a) The Dewan Bahasa dan Kebudayaan Kebangsaan was wound up in July 1969 after the purposes for which it was set up were achieved. The Dewan was set up in 1960 mainly, amongst other things, to promote the study of the National Language amongst the adult population. In the nine years of its existence it had successfully encouraged the study of the National Language through its various activities. Now that the study of the National Language is conducted in our schools in a systematic manner, the Dewan has no other work to do.

(b) (i) All officers of the Dewan Bahasa dan Kebudayaan Kebangsaan have been transferred to other Ministries/Departments as follows:

(a) The research officer was transferred to the Ministry of Education;

(b) The clerical officer was transferred to the Attorney-General's Chambers; and

(c) The typist and the office boy were transferred to the Press Section, Ministry of Culture.

(ii) None of the staff of the Dewan had his services terminated.

Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap (Geylang Serai): (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary give the number of officers transferred, please?

Inche Sha'ari Bin Tadin: Sir, there were four officers.