# Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP)

> Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) is the statutory body that standardises the Malay language, publishes the nation's official dictionary, and administers the National Literary Award. This article explains its origins, its legal basis, and its main functions.

- Category: arts-culture
- Language: en
- Status: published
- Updated: 2026-08-01
- Canonical: https://negaraku.md/en/arts-culture/dewan-bahasa-dan-pustaka

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Every time you check the spelling of a Malay word, come across a new scientific term, or read the title of a National Laureate, there is one institution behind the scenes: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.

## What is Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka?

Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) is a statutory body of the Malaysian Government responsible for developing, enriching, and standardising the Malay language as the national language. It was established on 22 June 1956 in Johor Bahru, initially as a small department named Balai Pustaka under the Ministry of Education, at a time when the country was moving towards independence.

Following the Third Malay Language and Letters Congress in September 1956, the government renamed the body Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka and elevated its status. In 1959, DBP was made a statutory body through the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Ordinance 1959 — giving it the autonomy to formulate policy, develop language programmes, and carry out its own publishing.

## How did DBP evolve?

DBP's early journey can be summarised as follows:

| Year | Event |
| --- | --- |
| 1956 | Established in Johor Bahru; renamed from Balai Pustaka |
| 1957 | Moved to Kuala Lumpur, on Jalan Young |
| 1959 | Elevated to statutory-body status through the DBP Ordinance 1959 |
| 1962 | Moved to its own headquarters on Jalan Lapangan Terbang Lama (later renamed Jalan Dewan Bahasa) |
| 2002 | Moved to the new Menara DBP |

Its legal basis is now referred to as Act 213 (Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Act 1959, revised 1978). Its functions were further expanded through Act 930, the DBP (Amendment and Extension) Act 1995.

## What are its main functions?

DBP has a broad mandate over the Malay language and literature. Among its main roles:

- **Developing and standardising the language** — advancing the Malay language across all fields, including science and technology, and setting official spelling and terminology.
- **Publishing dictionaries and books** — producing the nation's reference dictionaries as well as a range of reading materials and scholarly publications.
- **Advancing literature** — encouraging literary talent in the national language through prizes and awards.
- **Conducting language research** — serving as the authoritative reference for the Malay language at home and abroad.

## What are its main dictionary and award?

DBP's official digital reference dictionary is **Kamus Dewan Perdana**, which is freely accessible online at kamus.dbp.gov.my. This portal is part of DBP's digital transformation agenda to provide a comprehensive Malay-language reference platform that is easily accessible to all segments of society.

In the field of literature, DBP administers the **National Literary Award**, the highest recognition for writers in the Malay language. This award began in 1981, with Keris Mas (Dr. Kamaludin Muhammad) as the first recipient. Recipients are conferred the title of National Laureate (Sasterawan Negara) along with various forms of recognition, including a cash prize of RM60,000, a monthly allowance of RM5,000, as well as support for the publication and translation of their works. As of 2026, 16 figures have received this award, with Mana Sikana (Dr. Abdul Rahman Napiah) announced as the 16th recipient on 28 April 2026.

## What's next

To understand the constitutional standing of the language that DBP safeguards, read the article on [the Malay language](bahasa-melayu) and the history of [the Jawi script](jawi-script). For everyday language reference, visit the Kamus Dewan Perdana portal at kamus.dbp.gov.my, and check the official DBP website at dbp.gov.my for the latest information on its awards, programmes, and publications.

## Sources

- Pengenalan — Sejarah Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka — https://dbp.gov.my/pengenalan/ (Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka)
- Akta — Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka — https://dbp.gov.my/akta/ (Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka)
- Anugerah Sastera Negara — https://dbp.gov.my/anugerah-sastera-negara/ (Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka)
- Kamus Dewan Perdana dalam Talian — https://kamus.dbp.gov.my/ (Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka)
- Mana Sikana diumumkan sebagai penerima Sasterawan Negara Ke-16 — https://berita.rtm.gov.my/nasional/senarai-berita-nasional/senarai-artikel/mana-sikana-diumumkan-sebagai-penerima-sasterawan-negara-ke-16/ (Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM))

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