Bukit Bintang MP slams PAS lawmaker for politicising signboard issue

The debate over signboard regulations following Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) crackdown continues, with Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun accusing Alor Setar MP Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden of distorting facts.

Fong slammed Afnan for not understanding the complexities of governance in the capital city and for employing divisive political tactics after the PAS lawmaker criticised Fong over his response to DBKL’s move.

"First, my stance is clear - while it is reasonable for DBKL to enforce signboard regulations in accordance with the law, the enforcement process should take into account practical realities and the city’s multicultural context.

"A balance must be struck between upholding the status of the national language and preserving cultural diversity," the DAP lawmaker said in a statement.

Yesterday, Afnan questioned the appropriateness of a government MP opposing DBKL’s enforcement actions after Fong on Nov 22 called for a halt in the crackdown on signboards and made several suggestions.

Referring to operations in Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur, Afnan said DBKL acted within its jurisdiction, following longstanding practices.

"Unfortunately, the Bukit Bintang MP opposed the action, claiming it to be harsh, hasty, disruptive, and, in conclusion, disagreed altogether," Afnan said during a press conference in Parliament.

In his rebuttal, Fong said Afnan had made baseless accusations rather than addressing execution issues.

"Such an approach does nothing to solve the problem but exposes his insincerity in advocating for policy improvement and public concerns," he pointed out.

Creating false impression

Fong argued that Afnan’s defence of DBKL’s “long-standing practices” rationalised outdated approaches that have proven inadequate and require reform.

"As an opposition MP, Afnan has failed to provide any substantive proposals, resorting instead to blaming the government for suggesting policy improvements.

“This is a textbook example of irresponsible political manoeuvring," he said.

He further accused the PAS lawmaker of attempting to create a false impression that “the government opposes enforcement,” calling it a politically motivated effort to inflame public sentiment.

"This divisive tactic not only lacks responsibility but also severely undermines public trust in policy discussions.

“His accusations contribute nothing to the nation’s harmonious development, only highlighting Perikatan Nasional/PAS’ tendency to politicise every issue," he added.

Fong condemned Afnan’s “unfounded accusations and inflammatory remarks” and urged him to cease provocations.

Flexible enforcement

The DAP MP emphasised that his recommendations are grounded in public sentiment and aim to preserve Kuala Lumpur’s multicultural identity and international reputation.

Fong proposed flexible enforcement, such as allowing traditional signboards of cultural significance to retain their original design while adding Malay-language signage.

"This approach meets legal requirements while respecting cultural diversity - a sensible and practical solution," he said.

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YOURSAY | Rules are rules, stop crying foul over signage