[Top: Kit Chan, spokesperson of a previous Speak Mandarin campaign]

I REFER to Tuesday's letter, 'What about proper use of other languages?'.

We agree with Ms Koh Mei Hui on proper use of the other languages. The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (Mica) is committed to support and promote all four official languages.

Besides the Speak Good English Movement, Mica appoints and funds the Promote Mandarin Council, the Malay Language Council and the Tamil Language Council. They work with various public, business and community partners, as well as the mass media which is a key instrument to reach out to the communities. Together, they promote the use and appreciation of the languages. The councils and partners also organise language festivals, literary programmes and events rooted in the cultures of the communities.

The Government is committed to working with our community partners to promote the proper use of our four official languages.

Julia Hang (Mrs)
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Dec 18, 2008.