TWO back-to-back actions by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing – the Chinese signage and more recently, ‘brokering’ China to celebrate its lunar new year in Malaysia – have put him at odds with nationalist-minded netizens.
With regard to getting Malaysia to host what is deemed to be “the first-ever Chinese New Year celebration outside the Great Wall country”, pro-opposition political activist Jauhari Johar (@jauhari_johar) has questioned if such decision has been endorsed by the cabinet.
“Or (does he) deliberately want to fan the flames of racism?” the Perikatan Nasional (PN) backer penned on the X platform. “What is Tiong’s authority to make such a decision beyond and above PMX (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) himself?”
Keputusan ini dah dapat persetujuan kabinet ke?
Atau sengaja ingin menyemarakkan lagi api perkauman?
Apakah autoriti Tiong untuk membuat keputusan sebegini melangkaui dan lebih tinggi dari PMX sendiri? https://t.co/fC2lx7tumV
— Jauhari Johar (@jauhari_johar) November 26, 2024
A few sensible commenters highlighted the need to set aside prejudices and racist sentiments by focusing on tapping the immense economic value that can be derived from the tourism industry.
Another saw nothing wrong in wooing mainland Chinese tourists to Malaysia as the opposition front, too, has been showering praises about China while another teased that if the Taliban “can hold meeting in Malayasia, why not China?”
But these netizens are in the minority as many took to querying Tiong’s credentials as a Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister who is biased towards China as can be seen from the Malay language Sinar Harian report that Jauhari attached in his post.
In so doing, many even urged PMX to replace the Bintulu MP with a more competent minister.
China pilih Malaysia sambut Tahun Baru Cina tahun depan – King Sing
China memilih Malaysia sebagai tuan rumah acara sambutan Tahun Baru Cina yang pertama kali diadakan di luar negara itu.#SinarHarian #TahunBaruCinahttps://t.co/96toqiYjCT
— SinarHarian (@SinarOnline) November 26, 2024
The racist slur even extended to Tiong’s state of origin with few commenters suggested getting “tolerant” Sarawak to host the proposed CNY celebration “where it’s fine to get drunk” but not in the peninsular “which houses many Malays”. Or even in East Coast states of Kelantan or Terengganu “to avoid traffic congestion”.
As language indecency is preventing the airing of more views, it is sufficed to conclude the hardship to implement policies that have potential to boost or drive the Malaysian economy to greater heights given Malaysians are so used to over-react along racial lines or to judge others through racial lens.
It is therefore not surprising for one commenter to even express fear of “the need to clean up faeces piled up after the grand celebration because Chinese mainlanders like to pee and poop everywhere!” – Nov 28, 2024
