The DBKK was incorporated on 20 May 1960 by the enactment of the Dewan Bahasa dan kebudayaan Kebangsaan Ordinance. Its purpose was to promote the national language (Malay) and a Malayan culture. It no longer exists as a body. It was felt at the time that the formation of such an institute to promote the common language would foster comminication among the people,and would lead to greater mutual understanding. The institute's objectives included the encouragement and development of literary talents in Malay and other languages, and research into various aspects of local cultures. There was also a need to co-operate with similar bodies in Southeast Asia to work towards a simplified and standardised form of the national language. In trying to fulfil its role of nurturing the evolution of a Malayan culture, the institutie undertook and sponsored research into topics of social, cultural and linguistic interest, and disseminated the knowledge and information gained through publication of journals, booklets and monographs. It also organised conferences for writers, a National Language week, competitions, exhibitions, radio talks, cultural shows, etc.
