keep it simple lah! - An introduction to plain language in Malaysia

Introduction 

Plain language is clear, direct communication that people can understand. It uses familiar words, logical order, and a human tone. It avoids unnecessary jargon, legalese, and long, complex sentences, while keeping the message accurate and complete.  

Malaysia, like many other countries, does not yet have a dedicated plain language law. The United States and New Zealand have plain language legislation mandating government agencies to use plain, easily understood language when communicating with the public.  

However, Malaysian regulators require plain language in specific areas such as consumer protection, banking, or insurance. They also encourage public bodies to adopt plain language through guidelines and reports, especially when communicating with the public. 

A renewed push towards plain language  

Plain language ensures that citizens, businesses, and professionals can understand their rights and obligations and what they are supposed to do without specialist knowledge.   

In August 2025, sources reported that the Chief Secretary of the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Bakar called for civil servants to stop using overly complex language or “Bahasa Putrajaya” to avoid communication failures with the public. He urged that corporate communication units “speak a language all people can understand”.  

More recently, in January 2026, the Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil reiterated the importance of plain language for the public’s access to government products and services and stated the following when referring to civil servants:  

“My instruction to them is that the language used must be grounded in reality. In Perlis, for example, the delivery may require different sentences and approaches.” 

He continued and said: 

“The same applies to the Chinese community, the Indian community and certain indigenous groups. The language used must be accurate and appropriate, not merely formal language or ‘Putrajaya language’”.  

National language and plain language  

Malaysian demographics are very varied. For example, various sources indicate over 100 languages being spoken in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak.  

Even beyond indigenous groups, significant minorities of Malaysian Chinese, Indian, or other ethnicities have been settled and live in Malaysia as citizens for generations.  

The National Language Act 1963/67 and the Federal Constitution recognise Bahasa Melayu as the national language. The national language reinforces cultural identity and unity.  

Plain language is about the accessibility of information. It focuses on how something is written — making documents easy to understand for the intended audience. 

So, plain language is not about which language is used, but about how that language communicates to its audience. You can write in Malay, English, Mandarin, or Tamil — and still use plain language principles to make the text accessible.  

Global Influence on Plain Language 

International standards such as the ISO Standard for Plain Language (ISO 24495-1:2023) shape practices worldwide. These standards emphasize that documents should be: 

• Relevant – provide the information people need. 

• Easy to find – structured so readers can locate key points quickly. 

• Easy to understand – written in clear, everyday language. 

• Easy to use – practical for decision-making and compliance. 

Altohugh Malaysia does not yet have a plain language law, trade, cross border regulation, and legal cooperation expose Malaysians to these standards. Certain industry requirements in banking, insurance, and securities documentation emphasise this:  

• Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) standard Fair Treatment of Financial Consumers (BNM/RH/PD 028-103) defines plain language and requires contracts to accurately reflect the financial product designed in a way that is plain, legible, and concise. 

• The Securities Commission (SC) released in 2005 a Plain Language Guide for Prospectus documents incorporating plain language standards. 

• The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) emphasize accessibility in regulatory frameworks, especially in fast-moving sectors like technology and consumer protection.  

Benefits of Plain Language in Malaysia 

In legal documents and regulatory communications, plain language helps people understand their rights, responsibilities, and next steps. It improves:  

• Access to justice: Citizens better understand their rights. 

• Business efficiency: Clear contracts and documents reduce disputes. 

• Regulatory compliance: Rules are easier to follow. 

How to start writing in plain language  

To start writing in plain language:  

1. Begin by thinking about your reader and what they need to understand or do.  

2. Write as if you are explaining the message to someone in person, using familiar words and short sentences instead of technical or formal language.  

3. Focus on one idea at a time, put the most important information first, and be clear and direct about any actions required.  

4. Read your text aloud and remove anything that sounds complicated or unnecessary.   

You can also use digital tools to evaluate whether a text meets plain language standards. These tools can scan documents for readability, sentence length, jargon, and complexity, providing scores or feedback that highlight areas needing simplification. By using these tools, you can ensure that communication is aligned with plain language principles.

If the message is easy to read, easy to understand, and easy to use, you are writing in plain language. You must always actively engage in this process when writing.  

Conclusion 

Malaysia’s national language law ensures the primacy of Bahasa Melayu. Yet the public, courts, and regulators recognize the practical need for English and clearer communication in general, which are specific to context and audiences.  

Global trends and local initiatives show that Malaysia is moving toward clearer and more accessible documents that people can understand. In Malaysia’s diverse society, it helps bridge languages, reduce confusion, and build trust. By keeping words simple and direct, we make communication stronger, fairer, and easier to understand.