Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing has shot back against critics of his view that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) should embrace multilingual signages being displayed by businesses.
Among others, he questioned what Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has done for Malacca, where the latter serves as an exco member for rural development, agriculture and food security.
“For Akmal, I want to know what has he done for Malacca as an exco member. I hope he doesn’t continue to cause racial issues as had happened in recent by-elections.
“Reflect and think about what have you done. Do people accept it? You have only humiliated your own party.
“Enough. Your statements can cause tensions among the rakyat and affect the momentum for unity that is crucial to the country’s political stability and development.
“As a leader, our responsibility is to build unity and find solutions to problems, not cause racial issues which don’t bring any benefits,” he said in a statement today.
‘Don’t be a hero’
He also took aim at Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, who was a deputy minister in the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry from 2015 to 2018.
He said Mas Ermieyati should not “be a hero” on issues that she doesn’t fully understand, and questioned what she had done during her tenure as deputy minister to bring in tourists.
“I don’t have to give the answer, she can ask herself.
“We work hard to help small businesses, especially those at the roadside, to increase their business and give a better life to their families.
“What is wrong with giving local traders space to expand and encourage tourist arrivals? The important thing is the well-being of our economy and our people,” he said.
DBKL should embrace multi-culturalism
Last week, DBKL launched a large-scale operation targeting signages that fail to give sufficient prominence to the Malay language, alongside officers from Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka and the police.
Following this, Tiong said tourists had asked him whether Malaysia is a racist or religiously extreme country.
He urged DBKL to embody the capital city’s cosmopolitan and open spirit instead of projecting an authoritarian and regressive image, especially as Malaysia prepares to chair Asean next year and the host Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
“By rejecting narrow-minded thinking and avoiding overemphasis on racial and religious issues, Malaysia can create a brighter future, unite its people, and move forward together as a nation.”
He highlighted that multilingual signboards not only reflect Malaysia’s multicultural heritage but can also be transformed into an economic advantage.
Why use ‘foreign languages?’
Tiong’s comments had drawn criticism, including from Akmal and Mas Ermieyati.
Akmal argued that the true racists are those “who have lived in Malaysia for so long but still pretend not to understand the laws and sensitivities of the people in this country”.
Meanwhile, during parliamentary proceedings earlier today, Mas Ermieyati accused Tiong of touching on a 3R (race, religion, royalty) issue.
She also highlighted that stores in countries like Thailand and Indonesia did not use signboards featuring “foreign languages”.
“So why must we do this in Malaysia? Foreign tourists do not even pay attention to the language used. They will still visit the shops.
“The minister should retract his remarks and focus on uplifting our national culture,” The Star quoted her as saying.
DBKL has defended its crackdown, saying that while other languages are permitted, the Malay language must be displayed more prominently as it is the country’s national language.
It also noted that businesses, associations, or companies registered under laws such as the Registration of Businesses Act 1956 are not required to translate their non-Malay names into Malay.
In his statement today, Tiong said DBKL could have communicated better and in a more respectful manner with businesses, instead of allowing the signboard issue to become controversial.
“We need to maintain harmony and unity in society, not cause unnecessary tension,” he said. - Mkini
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