DAP Youth told to apologise over Chinese road sign stickers
Amanah and PKR Youth leaders have called on the Sarawak DAP Youth to apologise for their actions in pasting Chinese writing on three road signs in Kuching.
Amanah committee member Faiz Fadzil's said the action of his fellow coalition members was not respectful of the Malay language as the national language and violated the federal constitution...
Amanah and PKR Youth leaders have called on the Sarawak DAP Youth to apologise for their actions in pasting Chinese writing on three road signs in Kuching.
Amanah committee member Faiz Fadzil's said the action of his fellow coalition members was not respectful of the Malay language as the national language and violated the federal constitution.
"Actions like this may invite misunderstanding among different communities in the country especially the Malays who are incited by certain quarters to stoke racial sentiments.
"As the country's official language, Bahasa Malaysia is the key to the unity of the country and pluralistic society and the DAP Youth should be more sensitive to the needs of the nation in building a prosperous and competitive.
"As young people, promoting and building unity among the people of this country is now a priority for the struggle," said Faiz, who is also Permatang Pasir state assemblyperson, in a statement, today.
Faiz (below) also said the DAP Youth should apologise for their move.
He was reacting to the actions of a group of Sarawak DAP Youth members who pasted stickers in Chinese characters on several road signs in the city on the grounds that they need to be translated for the needs of tourists from China.
The action, which was led by former Stampin MP, was also captured on social media and invited criticism from most netizens.
Yesterday, Assistant Minister in the Sarawak Chief Minister's Department (Islamic Affairs and Kuching City North Commission), Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the actions also violated the Federal Constitution and the National Language Act 1963.
“The DAP should not drag the City Hall into their politics,” he said.
According to Abdul Rahman, the action was considered vandalism and violated DBKU's rules because it did not get prior permission from the local authority.
Faiz said the Chinese writing as the mother tongue of the Chinese should be used on appropriate premises and according to its needs while respecting the rights of every race in the country.
His views were shared by Terengganu PKR deputy chief Aden Pauzi who warned that such actions could cause tension between races.
"It would be very unfortunate if national unity was compromised just because we do not understand the sensitivities of the Malays.
"I find the reason that was given, which is to make it easier for foreign tourists, especially from China, to be very shallow.
"It's time we lifted the history and culture of the Malay community in the eyes of the world. In conjunction with the Merdeka month, we should maintain unity rather than find cause to alienate our neighbour," he said, in calling on the DAP Youth to apologise.
Meanwhile, Padungan assemblyperson Wong King Wei, who left the DAP in June, expressed his hopes that the Kuching North City Commission would not act against the Sarawak DAP Youth.
He said they did not do what they did out of ill intention.
"Even though I do not condone what the state DAP Youth has done, I also do not agree with Abdul Rahman who said it was an act of vandalism," he said.
Wong, who served as the Sarawak DAP Youth Chief between 2013 and 2016, said the Sarawak DAP Youth could have initiated a dialogue with the local authorities or submit a petition or write to the relevant authorities to express its views or requests.
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