Mind your language, Pahang MB told

Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob, who has warned the Chinese Malaysian community to ‘beware’ if they fail to attend the state Malaysia Day celebrations in future, has himself been told to be careful about his remarks.

Taking him on, the MCA’s Alor Gajah MP Koh Nai Kong said such warnings amount to intimidation, and that Adnan should not judge the community’s patriotism merely based on low turnout at the event held in Kuantan yesterday.

"There are many ways to show patriotism and it is not necessary to fly the flag, attend National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations or sing the national anthem to prove this," said Koh in a statement.

He said Adnan should be careful about what he says because he is the menteri besar, and that accusations should not be based on pure emotion.

MCA Youth secretary-general Chai Kim Sen agreed with Koh, pointing out that this is not the first time Adnan has said something controversial.

His narrow-mindedness is one of the reasons why the BN lost a substantial number of Chinese Malaysian votes in the 13th general election, said Chai (left). 

"Adnan's statement belittled the contribution of non-Malays to Independence. He is very childish for thinking that flying the flag and attending National Day celebrations are the only ways to show patriotism," he noted.

According to a Guang Ming Daily report, Adnan said he was not satisfied with the low participation of non-Malays as well as the number of flags displayed on shop fronts.

He said the state government is looking seriously into this and will act against shop operators who have failed to put up the national flag.

"The government can amend the law through the local government to solve the problem. If the shops are dirty and do not hang up flags, be careful," he reportedly said.