PM unpacks 14 Malay lexicons in Budget 2027

KUCHING: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has shared 14 less commonly used words and expressions featured in Budget 2027 to help Malaysians understand their meanings and appreciate the richness of the Malay language.

In a Facebook post accompanied by the caption “Jom belajar dengan Guru!”, Anwar shared an infographic titled “Leksikon Belanjawan 2027”, explaining terms drawn from classical Malay, Islamic scholarship, history and literature.

Among the words featured was waad, meaning a promise or pledge, while lighad refers to tomorrow or the future. Seyogia means what is appropriate or should be done, while citra nusa refers to the image or portrayal of the homeland.

The infographic also explained beranotasi, meaning accompanied by notes or additional explanations, and menata, which means to arrange or organise in a planned manner.

Another term, inayat, refers to assistance or a blessing, usually from God, while pranata describes a system, set of rules or institution that governs society.

The list also included filasuf, meaning a philosopher, and Ithaca, an ancient Greek island associated with Odysseus in classical literature, symbolising a homeland and a sincere connection to history.

Other terms featured were dasawarsa, meaning a period of 10 years or a decade; khulasah, referring to a summary or the essence of something; and turath, which describes traditional intellectual and scholarly heritage, particularly within Islamic tradition.

The final entry, zaman mansang, draws on the German concept of zeitgeist, referring to the spirit and defining demands of an era.

The concept also highlights the responsibility of the present generation to fulfil its obligations towards future generations, commonly described as “intergenerational responsibility”.

The infographic drew positive reactions from social media users, including Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, who praised Anwar’s initiative.

Another user, Megat Iskandar, praised the explanations, noting that words such as “pranata”, “inayat” and “dasawarsa” reflected the nation’s civilisation and welcoming the effort to explain their meanings.

Meanwhile, NooruI Hasninlayali praised Anwar’s public speaking, saying his clear pronunciation and engaging intonation showcased the beauty of the Malay language. The user added that Anwar’s speeches offered opportunities to learn new words and commended his efforts to uphold the principle of “Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa”.