Former Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou is currently on a speaking tour in Malaysia but at least two event organisers are avoiding his official title in promotional materials.

Promotional material for both events referred to Ma as "World Chinese leader" or "former president" without any mention of Taiwan, the state he led from 2008 to mid-2016.

Ma, who arrived today for four day visit, was scheduled to speak at a forum on Chinese culture and the "future of the Chinese in the world" tonight at Southern University College, Johor Baru.

A billboard to describe the event, found inside the campus, addressed Ma as "World Chinese leader" and "former president".

Earlier today, Malaysiakini had learned that several potted plants were placed at the foot of the billboard (see image above), covering the description of Ma's "title" and the logos for event sponsors.

When contacted, Southern University College president Thock Kiah Wah said Ma's title on the billboard was not an issue as the college would officially introduce Ma as the former Taiwan president during the event.

"There is few ways to address a person. We can call him Mr Ma Ying-jeou, but officially he is former Taiwan president," he said .

"This is the forum (related to the) World Chinese Economic Summit, so (we) addressed him as world Chinese leader," he said, while dismissing suggestions that his institution was facing political pressure.

On the potted plants, Thock said it was strategically placed there after there were some complaints.

"Some found (the billboard) to be an issue, but it is not. We just want to prevent (problems)... The flower pots are just decorations," he said.

Different treatment for other VIPs

Similarly, the World Chinese Economic Summit (WCES), which will begin on tomorrow, did not acknowledge Ma as the former president of Taiwan on the event's website, instead referring him as the "World Chinese leader".

In contrast, the 70 other speakers at the event were properly introduced, with their titles and country of origin clearly mentioned.

Other former chief executives who would be present at the event are former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd.

Attempts to obtain comments from WCES patron Lee Kim Yew and senior programme director Ng Yeen Seen were unsuccessful.

Previously, Ma's office was offended by Sin Chew Daily for substituting the title "former president of Taiwan" with "former Taiwan leader" in a Nov 14 article.

The article was an exclusive interview with Ma, conducted in Taipei. Articles published by the daily on Nov 12 and Nov 13 had referred to him as the "former president of Taiwan".

In a statement today, Sin Chew Daily said they had changed Ma's title after considering the overall political scenario surrounding China and Taiwan, as well as its understanding of the "One China" policy.