Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) is a statutory body of the Malaysian Government, established on 22 June 1956 in Johor Bahru to develop and enrich the Malay language as the national language. DBP was elevated to statutory-body status through the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Ordinance 1959, now under Act 213. Its roles include standardising spelling and terminology, publishing official dictionaries such as Kamus Dewan Perdana, and administering the National Literary Award, which confers the title of National Laureate (Sasterawan Negara).
- DBP was established on 22 June 1956 in Johor Bahru, originally named Balai Pustaka
- It became a statutory body through the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Ordinance 1959, now referred to as Act 213
- Act 930 (Amendment and Extension) 1995 further expanded DBP's functions
- The National Literary Award began in 1981, with Keris Mas as the first recipient
- Kamus Dewan Perdana is DBP's official digital reference dictionary, freely accessible online
Who this applies to: Students, writers, translators, teachers, and anyone who wants to understand DBP's official role in the Malay language and literature.
On this page
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 and the history of the 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.
When was DBP established?
DBP was established on 22 June 1956 in Johor Bahru, originally as a small department named Balai Pustaka under the Ministry of Education. It was renamed Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka following the Third Malay Language and Letters Congress in September 1956.
What is DBP's legal basis?
DBP was elevated to statutory-body status through the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Ordinance 1959, 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 is the National Literary Award?
The National Literary Award is DBP's highest honour for writers who write in the Malay language and make an outstanding contribution to the nation's literature. It began in 1981 with Keris Mas (Dr. Kamaludin Muhammad) as the first recipient; recipients receive the title of National Laureate (Sasterawan Negara).
What is DBP's official dictionary?
Kamus Dewan Perdana is DBP's official digital reference dictionary, part of the digital transformation agenda to provide a comprehensive Malay-language reference platform that is freely accessible at kamus.dbp.gov.my.
The following are deliberately unstated or described only qualitatively until confirmed by a subject-matter expert:
- Jumlah kumulatif penerima Anugerah Sastera Negara (dinyatakan 16 setakat 2026); sahkan tiada penerima ke-17 diumumkan selepas tarikh kemas kini.
- Nama jalan ibu pejabat 1962 (Jalan Lapangan Terbang Lama, kemudian dinamakan semula Jalan Dewan Bahasa) — sahkan tarikh penamaan semula dengan sumber rasmi DBP.
- Tarikh perpindahan ke Kuala Lumpur (1957, Jalan Young) dan ke Menara DBP (2002) — sahkan tahun tepat dengan halaman sejarah rasmi DBP.
- Butiran hadiah Anugerah Sastera Negara (RM60,000 tunai, elaun bulanan RM5,000) — sahkan jumlah terkini kerana nilai boleh dikemas kini dari semasa ke semasa.
Sources
- Pengenalan — Sejarah Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka — Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka
- Akta — Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka — Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka
- Anugerah Sastera Negara — Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka
- Kamus Dewan Perdana dalam Talian — Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka
- Mana Sikana diumumkan sebagai penerima Sasterawan Negara Ke-16 — Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM)
Change history
| Version | Date | Change | By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01.00 | 1 Aug 2026 | Approved and published. | — |