Why does Singapore still retain Malay as its National Language, and why is Singapore’s national anthem also in Malay?

Singapore retains Malay (Bahasa Melayu) as its national language, and its national anthem, Majulah Singapura, is sung exclusively in Malay to honour the country's indigenous heritage, acknowledge its geographical context in the Malay Archipelago, and promote multiethnic unity. 

Even though Chinese Singaporeans make up the demographic majority and English is the primary language of business and education, Malay holds a unique, constitutionally protected status. 

The structural reasons for this policy are outlined below:

Why Malay Is the National Language

Why the National Anthem is in Malay

Factor	Description
Indigenous Recognition	The Constitution of Singapore explicitly recognises Malays as the indigenous people of the Island. Retaining Malay as the national language is a symbolic commitment to protect their heritage and culture.
Geographical & Regional Realities	Singapore is located in the heart of the Malay world, bordered by Malay-majority nations like Malaysia and Indonesia. Embracing Malay at Independence in 1965 reassured its neighbours of Singapore's integration into Southeast Asia.
Racial Neutrality & Inclusivity	Selecting the language of the majority Chinese population (Mandarin) could have caused domestic friction among minority groups and regional anxiety. Malay served as an ethnically neutral choice for nation-building.

The national anthem, "Majulah Singapura" (Onwards Singapore), was composed in 1958 by Zubir Said as an official theme song for the City Council. 

When Singapore attained self-government in 1959, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Toh Chin Chye led the search for a state anthem. He insisted that the anthem be brief and written in Malay because: 

• Universal Appeal: A Malay version was seen as an indigenous expression that would appeal to all races, serving as a cultural bridge rather than favouring the immigrant majority. 
• Historical Integration: At the time, Singapore was planning for political merger with the Federation of Malaya (which occurred from 1963 to 1965), making a Malay anthem highly practical and politically unifying.

Contemporary Usage and Legal Protection

The national anthem is strictly governed by the National Symbols Act 2022. By law, it must be sung using the original Malay lyrics to preserve its historical meaning and respect. 

While official translations exist in English, Mandarin, and Tamil for comprehension, the actual singing of the anthem—along with military parade commands—remains entirely in Malay. 

On the online forum Quora, users widely agree that keeping the anthem and national language in Malay avoids alienating minority ethnic groups, maintains regional harmony, and anchors Singapore to its pre-colonial roots. 

The Biography of Zubir Said (1907–1987)

Zubir bin Said, affectionately known as "Pak Zubir" or "Mr Mari Kita", was a legendary self-taught composer who wrote Singapore’s national anthem, Majulah Singapura. 

Life Stage / Attribute	Details
Early Life & Rebellion	Born on July 22, 1907, in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra. His mother died when he was seven. His village-chieftain father strongly opposed music, viewing it as haram (forbidden). Defying his family, a young Zubir taught himself to play a homemade bamboo flute, guitar, and drums.
Migration to Singapore	In 1928, at age 21, he fled to Singapore on a cargo vessel. He was lured by a friend's promise of a land with "glittering lights, coffee with milk, and butter" and a desire to escape cultural restraints.
Golden Age Film Career	He started as a violinist for a bangsawan (Malay opera) troupe before becoming a recording supervisor for His Master's Voice (HMV). From the late 1940s to 1964, he worked as a head composer and arranger for Shaw Brothers and Cathay-Keris Film Productions, scoring music during the "Golden Age of Malay Cinema".
Prolific Output	Despite never having a formal education in Western music notations, he composed over 1,500 songs, prioritising authentic Malay roots over imported Western rhythms.
Major Compositions	Beyond the national anthem, he composed Semoga Bahagia (May You Achieve Happiness), which remains Singapore's official Children's Day song.
Accolades & Legacy	He was awarded the Public Service Star (Bintang Bakti Masyarakat) in 1963. He passed away from liver failure on November 16, 1987, at age 80. Today, the street 1 Zubir Said Drive (home to the School of the Arts) is named after him.

Why Military Commands Are Still Given in Malay

Fact / Reason	Explanation
The Constitutional Mandate	As established by the Constitution, Malay is the sole national language of Singapore. Using it for state machinery—including the military—is a direct reflection of its symbolic supreme status over the other three official languages (English, Mandarin, and Tamil).
Historical Lineage	Singapore’s early defence units, such as the Singapore Volunteer Corps (SVC), operated under British Malaya commands. Furthermore, during Singapore's brief merger with Malaysia (1963–1965), military protocols were heavily standardised in Malay. Keeping the commands post-independence provided institutional continuity.
Operational Uniformity	In a highly multiracial conscript army (National Service), having a single, unified language for drills ensures absolute clarity. Shouting commands in multiple languages during a crisis would create chaos. Using Malay places all recruits, regardless of ethnic background, on a completely neutral and equal playing field.
Operational Privacy	While less critical today, historically, using a distinct set of localised commands separated Singapore's operational drills from generic British standard English commands, giving the young military a distinct national identity.

If you attend a military parade or witness training within the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF), or Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), you will hear shouting like "Sedia!" (Attention!) or "Cepat Jalan!" (Forward March!). 

The retention of Malay for all official foot drill and military commands is driven by several operational and historical factors:

While formal commands on the parade square are strictly issued in Malay, the everyday language of instruction, tactical planning, and general military communication in the SAF is conducted in English.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

15 October 2026: 2:09 p.m.