"There are no grounds for Lim to say I lie like (Malay daily) Utusan. The presenters at Han Chiang (College) that night did not even use a word of the Malay language as the national language," Rais (right) said in a text message toUtusan Malaysia.Lim had in statement yesterday reminded Rais that the event wasorganised by a private collegeand not by the state government.
He also challenged Rais to specify any state government function where the national language was sidelined.
"If Rais was unhappy with the manner Han Chiang organised the event, why then did he not convey his unhappiness with Han Chiang? Why did he not demand an explanation from Han Chiang?" Lim asked
However, Rais put the blame on on the chief minister, saying that Lim should have taken it up with the college.
"Lim should have advised his konco-konco (followers) at the institution to respect the national language," Utusan Malaysiaquoted Rais as saying.
The minister on Monday expressed disappointment that the national language was not given due respect in Penang after the opposition took over the state.
He claimed that this was abundantly clear at an official function he attended in the state, which he did not specify, where the organisers spoke only in Mandarin and English.
Han Chiang College is a private institution founded by prominent leaders of the local Chinese community in 1999.
Having known Raias Yatim I don't believe that he is capable of telling any lie. Let the people decide for themselves as to who is right "Raias Yatim or Lim Guan Eng." It looks that this is a very petty thing to argue about.
ReplyDeleteAbove all every Malaysian must Love and Cherish the National Language for it is our flesh and blood and it is next to our parents. Whomever who criticizes or ignores our National Language is a traitor to the people and country.