Use of mantan in Malay

I refer to the news ‘Mantan’ not accurate, says Rais’ NST June 8.  It is rather a surprise when Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the word mantan, a word borrowed from Indonesia is not an appropriate word for the English word ‘ex’ or ‘former’. 

When consulted Kamus Dewan, Edisi Keempat, the latest edition, the entry of the word mantan is explained as follows: ‘dahulunya pernah menjawat jawatan tertentu, tetapi sekarang tidak lagi, bekas’.  It could be perhaps translated in English as follow: ‘previously held a specific post, but not now, former’. 

 The Online Indonesian-English Dictionaries  also cite ‘former’ in English as the equivalent meaning to mantan. I know that this word has been in use quite recently as the earlier versions of Kamus Dewan do not have the entry of the word mantan before 2005.  The Indonesian word has probably entered Bahasa Malaysia vocabulary some years ago. As there is doubt about the correct usage of the word,  the origin of the word need to be traced and its meaning ascertained.  

I hope Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, the guardian of the Malay Language could clarify this issue by making an appropriate statement. Such an announcement is crucial as the word is popular and widely used in Malay, in writing and speaking among Malay speakers.  Such clarification is also important especially in the context of teaching and learning in schools and other learning institutions.