Shining star: Lim (centre) receiving the National Malay Language Icon certificate from DBP board chairman Datuk Dr Anwar Ridhwan during the DBP Appreciation Awards Ceremony at Menara DBP in Kuala Lumpur.
JOHOR BARU: He is only 24 but in his own words, he is “old school”.
Law graduate Lim San Shien loves reading the newspapers in three languages – English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese – a practice he started since his primary school days.
In fact, he would cut out news clippings and keep them in a book “for further reading or future reference”, he said.
Lim’s reading habit has now led to him being acknowledged as the latest National Malay Language Icon by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP).
“The Language Icon recognition aims to celebrate individuals across various fields who exhibit a deep commitment to elevating and using the national language correctly, inspiring others to engage with the language and its literature,” DBP said in a statement, as reported by Bernama.
According to DBP, Lim was selected for his outstanding achievements in language, leadership and academic initiatives.
He told The Star yesterday that his mother, a Malay-language teacher at a primary school, had been his main influence.
An only child, Lim recalled how she encouraged him to write essays in Bahasa Malaysia about his school routine and memorise simple Malay literary pieces.
“She also took me to public libraries and museums to learn about language and history,” he said.
Lim explained that he began with newspapers such as The Star, Berita Harian, Utusan Malaysia, Sin Chew Daily and China Press.“I choose to be old school. It gives me immense pleasure and satisfaction to do so. Of course I also read news online, but I prefer reading it on paper. Online news links often expire, but newspapers allow me to preserve stories I find meaningful,” he added.
Some of his friends, Lim said, were surprised to learn about his newspaper reading habit.
“But others develop the same interest. Most of my friends are just like me, they are avid readers and book lovers. We like the warmth and the feeling of holding physical reading material,” he said.
Lim added that he frequently writes to The Star’s Letters to the Editor column about topics related to youth, particularly mental health and empowerment.
On becoming the National Malay Language Icon, Lim said his interest in the language deepened after winning a district-level public-speaking competition in primary school.
“That was the catalyst for me to pursue more competitions, including during my matriculation years. I won the Vice-Chancellor’s Cup during my first year at Universiti Malaya,” said Lim, who is now chambering at a banking firm here.
As a DBP language icon, he said his role is to promote the correct usage of the national language, organise events on language and literature, and advocate for the language by using creative ways like content creation, forums and games.
He will also take part in events as a moderator and speaker.
In 2022, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi appointed Lim as a unity ambassador of the state government to promote peace and harmony through the organisation of events and community engagement.
Lim also shared that he had served as a judge for the Anugerah Seri Angkasa Negara, won the Best Paper Award at the International Youth Law Exchange Conference and was the chief judge for the Malaysian Pharmacy Debate.
He also participated as a panelist at the Malaysia Book Festival in Melaka and the World Reading Day Forum in Putrajaya. His other achievements include being recognised as the Best Student Leader by the Johor government and emerging as champion of the United Nations Simulation Cup.
But what does an enterprising young man like him do during his free time?
Lim said he enjoys reading books on legal issues, politics, socioeconomics and youth policies.“I also create content on Facebook and Instagram, and host live sessions to discuss various topics,” he said.
“I also love spending time with my parents.”
