FEDERAL Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa called for an end to the controversy over Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) enforcement on business signboards, emphasising adherence to national language laws.
But can she really end the lingering controversy with the political factions within the Madani government stabbing each other over the matter?
She clarified that the enforcement aligns with the Advertisement By-Laws 1982 and Local Government Act 1976, requiring Malay to be the primary language on signboards with larger fonts.
Dr Zaliha stressed the actions are routine, not politically driven, and aim to reflect Malaysia’s identity as it prepares for the 2025 ASEAN chairmanship and Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
The issue arose following criticism from former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and public discussions on bilingual signage.
Clashes over the use of Chinese on Kuala Lumpur shop signage have sparked racial tensions in Malaysia.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing criticised DBKL’s enforcement of a 1982 bylaw requiring Malay to be displayed more prominently than other languages.
“This overboard behaviour causes tourists to question Malaysia’s openness,” he said, adding that some international visitors even asked if Malaysia is “racist or religiously extreme.” Tiong warned that such issues could harm economic growth.
Meanwhile, in his classic ‘no surrender’ style, UMNO Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh challenged Tiong to a debate over the DBKL’s decision to crack down on signage not properly displaying the Malay language.
“I challenge the minister to an open debate on the signboard issue,” he said.
Akmal also urged the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to replace Tiong with someone else. — Nov 30, 2024
Main photo credit: Bernama
