Singapore will begin an effort this month to boost Malay and Tamil language learning in addition to igniting interest in the cultures, the government announced Monday.
Two "language-learning and - promotion committees" will work with Malay and Indian organisations, the media, institutes of higher learning and schools, said a ministry of education statement.
Activities will be organised to "help broaden the language environment [and] to encourage students to continue using Malay and Tamil after their years at school," it added.
Malays make up 14 percent of Singapore's population of 4.4 million and Indians seven percent with the remainder predominantly Chinese.
English is the primary spoken language of the city-state, followed by Mandarin. The ministry was urged in November to establish the committees to collaborate with Malay and Tamil organisations in promoting the dwindling use of the languages.