RIGHTIST Muslim convert preacher Ridhuan Tee Abdullah is seeing red with township developer Eco World Development Group Bhd unveiling its range of anglicised real estate products which to him is disrespectful to the status of Bahasa Malaysia (BM) as the national language.
“My journey to Beranang, Selangor is greeted with big arches bearing “Eco Majestic”, “North Gate”, followed by numerous other ‘Eco’ prefixes –, Eco Forest, Eco Hill, Eco World, Eco City, etc,” jibed the Muafakat Nasional (MN) deputy chairman on Threads.
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“This paints a very bad impression on the national identity. As if one is living in London. How can the Kajang, Hulu Langat, local authorities be approving names in the language of colonisers. They’re making big bucks.”.
However, a seeming Madani backer who must have had enough with Ridhuan’s incessant bickering over the dignity of BM being undermined ticked him off for “harping on a non-issue”.
“He’s the most Malay,” mocked another.
Others insinuated that the former Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) professor of ethnic relations, Malaysian nationhood and Islamic civilisation is only trying to derive political mileage given “the said projects have long been completed during the tine of previous administrations”.
“But you only choose to speak up when the Madani government is in power … It’s very obvious that there’s a hidden agenda.”
Another seconded: “I bet if Madani is no longer the next government, he would have kept quiet. Otherwise, he would even turn 360 degrees.”
“Did Ustaz just wake up from a coma? These names are from the PM Najib (sixth premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak) era many years ago,” recounted one netizen.
One cynical commenter even challenged the preacher “to open your own company and name it Tee Majestic or Tee Forest” if that would make him feel better.
This was when a like-minded netizen heeded the preacher’s call by chiding Ridhuan’s critics as being “narrow-minded”.
To prove his argument, be went on to ‘Malay-nise’ EcoWorld’s projects to what he claimed as “more beautiful and dashing sounding names” – (1) Alam Gemilang; (2) Alam Permai; (3) Alam Mahligai; (4) Bumi Gemilang;(5) Puncak Permai.
“If you still insist on keeping the ‘Eco’ prefix, no problem, you can still use (1) Eko Gemilang; (2) Eko Adiwangsa; (3) Eko Permai; (4) Eko Mahawangsa; and (5) Eko Lestari.”
But the earlier commenter countered that “this is not a question of narrow-mindedness but that of project BRANDING”.
“This is akin to you going to KFC but ask for McChicken. But this is a wrong place because KFC has its own chicken burger branding which is Zinger Burger,” justified the self-proclaimed massage therapist.
“Henceforth, just open your own company and use your preferred branding. That’s it.”
Thankfullly, one commenter pointed out that EcoWorld is not alone in using so-called angelised project names – a hint that the Ridhuan has nailed down EcoWorld on racial grounds.
“Why aren’t you taking a swipe at (1) KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre); (2) TRX (Tun Razak Exchange); 3. The Exchange 106; (4) KL Tower; and (5) PETRONAS Twin Towers (to name a few major projects),” he hit out.
“Sime Darby Property, too, is popular with its Elmina range – there’re Elmina Green 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Elmina Lakeside Mall etc. Then there’re KL East, Putra Heights & The Glades as well as Serenia City. Why don’t you query them for not upholding BM?”
Likewise, the preacher should also be chastising UMNO (United National Malay Organisation) or MCA (Malaysian Chinese Association) – both of which are component parties of Barisan Nasional (BN) which has recently forged a pact with PAS to foster ummah unity.
At the end of the day, a commenter expressed surprise that “there’s a Chinese out there with the tendency to throw a tantrum 24 hours daily” by sparking racial discord among Malaysians.
“Thankfully, he didn’t throw a fit on stage when he was a moderator in the Forum Perdana Islam programme (aired by RTM which Ridhuan hosted from the 1990s until Dec 14, 2022).” – Oct 28, 2026
Main image credit: Merrydale Eco Majestic/Facebook
