After being fined, KL restaurant mulls using entirely Malay language signage

After being slapped with a fine over its signboard, a restaurant in Bukit Bintang is considering switching to a new signboard written entirely in the Malay language.

A source told Malaysiakini yesterday that Chen Jiuru Beef Noodles Restaurant management has acknowledged the situation and is willing to change their signage to comply with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) by-laws.

“We are making (the sign). We might switch to signs that are fully in Malay,” said the source who declined to be named.

The restaurant is one of five recently fined by the city hall for supposedly failing to display the Malay language with sufficient prominence in their signages.

Another source indicated that Steam Era Seafood Steamboat Restaurant, which was also fined, is also changing its signboard to comply with regulations.

“However, the implementation of these changes will be arranged by the company (management),” the source stated.

A third source familiar with the matter noted that Shu Xiang Hotpot Restaurant will also be making adjustments to its signage according to government regulations.

“We are designing (the signboard)... There will be Chinese text, but the size of the Malay text will be larger than the Chinese text.

“We will follow government laws to make changes (to the signage),” said the source who wished to remain anonymous.

However, the two other businesses involved declined to comment on the matter.

A check by Malaysiakini found that these businesses are operating as usual, with no changes to their signboards thus far.

‘Refreshing memory’

Previously, DBKL took enforcement action against premises that allegedly failed to give sufficient prominence to the Malay language in their signboards.

In a Facebook post last Saturday, it said it issued fines and enforcement notices against five premises to “refresh their memory” about the regulations.

Its checks around Jalan Imbi found that five premises violated the Advertisement (Federal Territory) By-laws 1982. The law stipulates that an advertisement board must put prominence on the national language.

While it allows for other languages to be featured alongside Malay, their wordings must be smaller.

The fines were imposed on Chen Jiuru Beef Noodles Restaurant, Overseas Restaurant, Shu Xiang Hotpot, Wing Heong (a smoked meat and snacks shop), and Steam Era Seafood Steamboat Restaurant.

“It seems like they are more keen on featuring other languages. But it’s okay, we help jog their memory using compound and enforcement notice.

“Now they have 14 days to take down the signboards or face further actions,” DBKL said.

Double standards

Following this, many netizens accused DBKL of double standards by pointing out that many other businesses including large companies are failing to comply with the regulations.

Netizens also questioned why action was only recently taken against some restaurants that have been operating for a long time, and whose advertisements displayed approval permit numbers from the city hall.

Additionally, netizens raised concerns regarding the action against Wing Heong, asserting that their advertisements met the stipulated requirements, including using the Malay language alongside the company logo.

After numerous critical comments, the DBKL’s Facebook administrator subsequently closed the comments section on the related post.

Malaysiakini is seeking further clarification from DBKL regarding the issues and disputes following the enforcement actions.

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