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Yes! That’s Indonesian president Joko Widodo. But’s he is not in Indonesia but also feels that much more at home in KL’s Chow “Indonesia” Kit!
KL: Now everyone can travel!
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20, 2024: Former prime minister, the racist Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Dr M), complained that shopping in Pavilion Mall Bukit Jalil made him feel like he is in China because of the Chinese signages.
Dr M is either ignorant or blind or just anti-Chinese to try and reap political mileage with the Malays.
No News Is Bad News opines that the 98-year-old Dr M is neither ignorant nor blind.
He is just an obnoxious racist who igonred Malaysia’s “rest of the world” tourist attraction.
Federal capital Kuala Lumpur (KL) features Indonesia, Pakistan, India (Brickfields), Nepal, Myanmar, Vietnam, Africa, Middle East, China and Uzbekistan.
One wonders why is the Government not promoting Vist Malaysia, Visit the Rest Of The World.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a Facebook posting that boasts KL as just that:
Travel guide for those who cant afford to fly but would like to visit other countries in a day.
Take LRT or Monorail and get down in Station Masjid Jamek. You will find yourself in Pakistan. Its like a big Pakistan bazaar. Take a stroll slowly to Leboh Ampang and you'll find yourself in India. Have pure Indian Vegetarian lunch there and proceed to Jalan Silang. You will be entering Nepal, Myanmar and Vietnam at one go. There is no country border here. All of them mixed in one place. Quickly take a bus or monorail to Jalan Bukit Bintang. Here you enter Africa, Middle East, China and Uzbekistan in one place. Its a food haven. Have lunch here. Have foot, body or whatever you want massaged. Lots of promotion packages and everything and anything can be massaged here. Then take the bus to Jalan Chow Kit. You are now entering Indonesia. There is Jawa Timur, Jawa Barat, Madura, Bali and particularly all parts of Indonesia at one place. You won't find this even if you go to Indonesia itself.
No need passport, no need visa, no need US dollar, Euro, Sing Dollar or Rupiah. Just use Ringgit Malaysia or E wallet.
Actually Tourism Malaysia should promote our country as " Visiting Malaysia is like Visiting The Rest of The World"
And we have Madey complaining Mall in Jln Bkt Bintang looks like we are in China with signboards Chinese writings. Why the whole World so afraid of Chinese influence but not others?
Panduan perjalanan untuk mereka yang tidak mampu untuk terbang tetapi ingin melawat negara lain dalam sehari.
Naik LRT atau Monorel dan turun di Stesen Masjid Jamek. Anda akan mendapati diri anda berada di Pakistan. Ia seperti bazar Pakistan yang besar. Berjalan-jalan perlahan-lahan ke Leboh Ampang dan anda akan mendapati diri anda berada di India. Makan tengahari India Vegetarian tulen di sana dan teruskan ke Jalan Silang. Anda akan memasuki Nepal, Myanmar dan Vietnam sekali gus. Tiada sempadan negara di sini. Kesemuanya bercampur di satu tempat. Cepat naik bas atau monorel ke Jalan Bukit Bintang. Di sini anda memasuki Afrika, Timur Tengah, China dan Uzbekistan di satu tempat. Ia adalah syurga makanan. Makan tengahari di sini. Urut kaki, badan atau apa sahaja yang anda mahu. Banyak pakej promosi dan segala-galanya dan apa sahaja boleh diurut di sini. Lepas tu naik bas ke Jalan Chow Kit. Anda kini memasuki Indonesia. Terdapat Jawa Timur, Jawa Barat, Madura, Bali dan khususnya semua bahagian Indonesia di satu tempat. Anda tidak akan menemui ini walaupun anda pergi ke Indonesia sendiri.
Tidak perlu pasport, tidak perlu visa, tidak perlu dolar AS, Euro, Sing Dollar atau Rupiah. Hanya gunakan dompet Ringgit Malaysia atau E.
Sebenarnya Tourism Malaysia patut mempromosikan negara kita sebagai " Visiting Malaysia is like Visiting The Rest of The World"
Dan kami ada Madey mengadu Mall di Jln Bkt Bintang kelihatan seperti China dengan papan tanda tulisan Cina. Mengapa seluruh Dunia begitu takut kepada pengaruh China tetapi tidak kepada orang lain?
There you have it! Why waste money on air flights to travel to all those countries! Now everyone can travel (in KL)!
Update1
Mahathir Hypocrisy : The Loaf Bakery Had An English Name And Did Not Have A Malay Translation On The Signboard
20 November, 2024
The administrator of his X account shared pictures of signboards which Dr Mahathir Mohamad himself took when at Pavilion Bukit Jalil.
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has questioned the authorities for allowing shops to put up signboards in Chinese with English translations, with nothing in the Malay language.
Mahathir said he noticed several of such shops after visiting a newer shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur over the past weekend, saying “suddenly I felt I was in China”.
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has drawn flak from netizens over his criticism of signboards with large Chinese characters and English translations, but nothing in Malay.
A day after questioning if Malaysia had “become part of China”, the administrator of Mahathir’s X account shared pictures of such signboards of several shops at the Pavilion Bukit Jalil shopping mall.
The administrator said these photos were taken by Mahathir himself when visiting the mall.
However, netizens were quick to disparage the political veteran, questioning why the signboards should be in Malay when these shops sold non-halal food and their target market was Chinese customers.
“If they write ‘roti babi’ (pork buns in Malay) then it would become another issue,” said @wafty_ali.
Similarly, @amino71165 said translating non-halal food products to Malay could “confuse” Muslims.
Others accused Mahathir of practising double standards, pointing out that the now-closed The Loaf bakery that he had owned had an English name and did not have a Malay translation.
One user, @matunique67, also asked cynically whether The Loaf had a Jawi translation on its signboard.
Yesterday, Mahathir said the use of Chinese characters on signboards was fine, but should be limited to translations in smaller characters.
He said his recent visit to Pavilion Bukit Jalil made him feel like he was suddenly in China. While he acknowledged that this could be due to the number of tourists from China, he maintained that “our national language is Malay”.
Last month, Kuala Lumpur City Hall said it had issued 20 fault notices and 10 enforcement notices to shop owners for “using languages other than the national language in an excessive manner” from January till Oct 16 this year.
It reminded shop owners to prioritise the use of Malay on their signboards, saying the signboards were not mere decorations but were regulated under the Advertisement (Federal Territory) By-laws 1982.
“The one eatery with giant Chinese signage that gives you China feel serves forbidden meat, Tun M”
Kedai tu jual pau babi. Perniagaan Cina dah lama amalkan guna tulisan Cina untuk discourage Melayu, bangsa paling mudah tertipu dan terpedaya di dunia, dari masuk kedai Cina yang ada babi. Kang tulis dalam BM, ada Melayu triggered pulak tuduh Cina nak jerat Melayu makan babi.
AS national language freaks defended Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad after he named Pavilion Bukit Jalil as the Kuala Lumpur mall that makes him feel as if “I was in China”, Muslim netizens have chided the twice former premier over his recent racist rant, contending that it is justified for the so-called food outlet ‘to spew’ Chinese characters.
Aside from being able to furnish evidence of only one business outlet (perhaps two) despite claiming that “all the signboards are in Chinese with English translations”, social media influencer Muhammad Najib (@muhammadnajib79) rightly pointed out that “the shop sells pork buns”.
“Chinese businesses have long practiced usage of Chinese language to discourage Malays, the most gullible and easily deceived race in the world, from patronising Chinese eateries that serve pork,” he penned in a post on the X platform in response to a tweet by Dr Mahathir who shared three photos what he meant by ‘huge’ Chinese signages.
“Imagine if the signage is written in BM (Bahasa Melayu), some triggered Malays will accuse the Chinese of trying to lure Malays into eating pork.”
Source : Focus
Mahathir The Loaf – Malays Managers Steal Money, Bad Paymaster
But the most dramatic event which had made the old man mad was when he experienced for himself the dishonesty of fellow Malays. He said – “Now I have a bakery. I want to say honestly, I am ashamed because among the Malay, Chinese or Burmese or any other workers, the Malay ones sometimes when they see money, they forget themselves, they become dishonest.”
He revealed he was forced to sack many of his Malay staff working in “The Loaf”, his Japanese-inspired bakery, for swindling money. Apparently, his bakery business suffered a mini scandal when the daily collection was not deposited into the bank. A Malay manager was then caught red-handed stealing money from the cash register and the incident infuriated Dr Mahathir.
Mahathir shared his sobbing story – “I am operating a bakery and have given many opportunities to Malays to hold management positions. Unfortunately, time and time again, honesty and integrity appear to be lacking as there have been staff who keep stealing money. They do not seem to understand that it is wrong to take what is not theirs. They do not think of the big picture or the long term.”
“I have tried for 22 years to help the Malays, maybe I have failed although some may say that I did achieve some success.
“Values dictate if one race should succeed or not… like the Japanese, they are ashamed if they fail. That is why they are afraid to fail… but the Malays, they lack shame,” he said.
Dr Mahathir said the Malays are also bankrupt of honesty.
He claimed of first-hand experience in the matter when his bakery company, The Loaf, tried in the past to sack several managers for stealing money from the restaurants.
“My bakery was meant to help the Malays… give them jobs… but what they did was sapu (swept or stole) my money. That is the problem with the Malays. They don’t have honesty,” he said.
Because the Malays lack honesty and integrity, hence, Mahathir justified why he was forced to give contracts to the ethnic Chinese – “We have to be trustworthy so people will give contracts to us. When we want to give contracts, we give to the Chinese instead because we know they will do their work properly. This is our weakness – not being trustworthy.”
Mahathir slammed the Malays for being less committed to work, not hardworking and at times, not trustworthy. Speaking at his Vision 2020 Forum, he said – “I believe the Malays have the same capabilities as the Europeans and the Japanese. But, the Malay culture remains a problem.”
He had earlier mocked the Malays students – “I am ashamed when I see the Chinese students studying three different languages, but still have a better grasp of the English language compared with their Malay peers. The Malays study two languages, Bahasa Malaysia and English, but they keep saying ‘all right, that is enough, no need to learn English any more’.”
According to the New Straits Times, Mahathir unleashed his frustration at the Malays – “We accuse others. We accuse the government, accuse other races. When we fail, they are at fault. We are never wrong.”
Source : Finance Twitter
Source : Malay Mail
Dr M-linked bakery Loaf back with new owner
The bakery was a venture between Mahathir and a company with Japanese interests, Motoko Resources Sdn Bhd, with Mahathir owning a 51% stake. It closed down in April 2018 after 12 years in business.
Ekovest Group under executive chairman Lim Kang Hoo has decided to revive the brand through its wholly-owned subsidiary Duke Dining Sdn Bhd, which has bought over The Loaf’s entire interest.
Its CEO, Gopalan Menon, told FMT that the purchase was part of the group’s foray into the food and beverage (F&B) sector.
“We also own a one Michelin star restaurant known as Xin Dau Jin in Eko Cheras Mall, and are planning to acquire more F&B assets,” he said.
He said plans are in the pipeline to open 10 Loaf outlets by the end of the year.
Ekovest has revived four outlets so far in Langkawi, Pavilion, Sunway Pyramid and NuSentral.
The first outlet to be revived was at the Telaga Harbour Marina in Langkawi.
The bakery had originally opened in 12 locations, including KLCC, Pavilion and NuSentral in Kuala Lumpur, and Empire Shopping Gallery in Subang Jaya.
Mahathir, who was often seen dining at some of the outlets, was reported as saying that the entity was a loss-making concern, and that he had no choice but to dispose of it.
Source : FMT
Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Dr M set to bring his super racism to his grave
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Dr M set to bring his super racism to his grave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOde6CXXAY4
10,782 views 18 Nov 2024
The ex-prime minister maintains that it is fine to use Chinese characters on signboards, but says this should be limited to translations in smaller characters.
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19, 2024: The racist former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Dr M) asked: Are we part of China now, over Chinese characters on signboards.
And a social media post asked: Why not he (Dr M) said are we part of Indonesia?
But Dr M had acknowledged that 90% of income tax which the Government collects are paid by the Chinese.
So why does Dr M, at 98, continues to bash the ethnic Chinese in Malaysia for political mileage? Why not?
He claims that Malaysia is an Islamic state or theocratic state not a multiracial democratic state.
He is certainly bringing his super racism to his grave.
James Chin
Top contributor
TDM is not happy.. Is there actually a shopping centre where the Chinese characters are dominant everywhere? Which shopping centre is he referring to? As far as I know, there are local govt regulations on how shop signs are supposed to look.
Or is he dog whispering? Ever since he lost power, he comes out with occasional statements that indirectly target the Chinese community.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a post by The Coverage on Dr M’s hypocrisy:
Tun M : 90% Of The Income Tax Which The Government Collects Are Paid By The Chinese – The Chinese Are The Biggest Taxpayers
19 November, 2024
I would admit that much of the wealth of Malaysia is due to the Chinese. Most of the taxes are probably from Chinese businesses. But they are amply compensated in Malaysia. The top billionaires are Chinese. – Tun M Twitter.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad proudly announced that 90% of the personal income tax which the government collects are paid by the Chinese. If that is so then the spending power is in the hands of the Chinese and not in the hands of the Malays, Indians, Bumiputeras and ‘others’.
According to the Treasury, 70% of the personal income tax is paid by salaried employees while the businessmen and self-employed contribute to only 30% of the personal income tax. If the Treasury is able to collect all the personal income tax due, then the salaried employees would be paying just 10% of the personal income tax collected while businessmen and self-employed would be contributing 90%.
So, in spite of the high tax evasion by the businessmen and self-employed who pay only a fraction of what they should, the Chinese still pay 90% of the personal income tax that the government collects.
Source : Malaysia Today
The Chinese are the biggest taxpayers
It is perhaps timely that Dr Mahathir Mohamad, speaking at a forum on the ‘Future Challenges of the Malays’ recently in Alor Star, should have stated that “Malays have to acknowledge that the Malay community contributed the least to making Malaysia a model country and to its current status in the world” ( The Sun , Monday, March 27, p 10).
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad does not mince his words when he says that if Malaysia depended only on taxes paid by the Malays, it would not have achieved what it has today, the Chinese press reported yesterday.
He said Malays have to acknowledge that the Malay community contributed the least to making Malaysia a model country and to its current status in the world.
Addressing a forum on the Future Challenges of the Malays organised by the Kedah Malay Assembly Hall in Alor Star on Saturday, Mahathir said there is no doubt the country has progressed and prospered under the leadership of the Malays but that such progress was built on the hard work of other races.
“The government used taxes from the people to develop the country, but who contributed the most in taxes?”
“The Chinese! Their success in business has made them the biggest contributors in taxes.”
He said Malays are behind the others not because they are inferior or lack resources but because of their culture and attitude.
Source : Malaysiakini
Source : Anak Merdeka
Malays have to acknowledge that they contributed the least to making Malaysia a model country – The Sun, Monday 27-03-2006
FORMER prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad does not mince his words when he says that if Malaysia depended only on taxes paid by the Malays, it would not have achieved what it has today, the Chinese press reported yesterday. He said Malays have to acknowledge that the Malay community contributed the least to making Malaysia a model country and to its current status in the world.
Addressing a forum on the Future Challenges of the Malays organised by the Kedah Malay Assembly Hall in Alor Star on Saturday, Mahathir said there is no doubt the country has progressed and prospered under the leadership of the Malays but that such progress was built on the hard work of other races.
“The government used taxes from the people to develop the country, but who contributed the most in taxes? “The Chinese! Their success in business has made them the biggest contributors in taxes.” He said Malays are behind the others not because they are inferior or lack resources but because of their culture and attitude. He urged them to stress on the pursuit of knowledge.
Mahathir also warned that the New Automotive Policy would be the undoing of Proton, which has suffered setbacks previously. “Proton is destined to fail,” he told reporters later when asked to comment on the policy announced last week. Asked to elaborate, he said: “What more is there to say?”
Source : Hornbill
Tun M: “There Is No Doubt That Much Of The Development Of Malaysia Is Due To The Chinese”
On Friday, while delivering his keynote address at the World Chinese Economic Forum, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad applauded the Malaysian Chinese community for their contributions to the development of the country and its economy
He credited much of Malaysia’s development and the creation of businesses to the first Chinese settlers here, saying we would be in a different situation were it not for them.
“The Chinese not only occupy China. You go anywhere in the world, you will see Chinese faces. They have contributed much to the development of many countries and have become citizens in these countries,” the Prime Minister said.
“We have 30% of the population of Chinese origin and there is no doubt that much of the development of Malaysia is due to the Chinese,” he added.
He said that without them Malaysia would have been left behind
“Malaysia fully appreciates the Chinese contribution to the development of Malaysia. Indeed, we feel that without them, much of the development of Malaysia would be somewhat lagging behind,” he said while addressing the Chinese contribution.
“But they have come here, to live here, to become Malaysian citizens, and to help in the development of this country. And I’m quite sure that wherever they go they will do the same. Somehow they have a knack of creating wealth wherever they go,” he added.
We all know that it is the business people who are good at creating the wealth of the country while the government is good at collecting that wealth,” Tun Mahathir said with a slight chuckle, drawing an instant laughter from the room filled with people yesterday.
“But without the business people creating the wealth, the government can collect no wealth. Yes, there are countries of course, which are gifted with a lot of natural resources among which is petroleum. And these countries have developed quite well. But in other fields, they have not been able to develop.
“But the Chinese contribution to the development of Malaysia is not confined only to business and making of profit but also in many other fields,” he added while paying tribute to the ability of the Chinese in adapting to changing market conditions.
“Today’s business is not about opening shops along streets which was what they did when they came to Malaysia. The streets then were lined by Chinese shops, providing services of all kinds.
“But the situation changed over time. Today, we see a complete change in the way goods are marketed. Now we have many shopping complexes where the shops are gathered in a place that is nicely air-conditioned. And this change is brought about by the ability of the Chinese to make the adjustment to the differing conditions,” he added.
Source : SAYS
Chinese contributions since mid-1800s
According to the book The Chinese Malaysian Contribution published in 2006 and launched by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, it was the Chinese who developed the early tin mining industry.
The country has also benefited from the success of Chinese businessmen. Apart from creating jobs, their companies pay huge taxes. In early 2006, Dr Mahathir disclosed that the Chinese were the biggest contributors to government tax revenue.
WHILE all ethnic groups in Malaysia have contributed greatly to its economic development, the Chinese contribution to nation-building was given recognition by the British as long ago as the early 1900s.
The colonial government acknowledged that the prosperity of British Malaya was partly built upon the labour and enterprise of the Chinese from China in the early days. British administrator Sir Frank Swettenham wrote at the beginning of the 20th century:
“Under the present [tough] conditions, the Chinese are the bone and sinew of the Malay states. They are the labourers, the miners, the principal shopkeepers, the capitalists, the holders of the revenue farms, the contributors to almost the whole of the revenue; we cannot do without them.”
In the late 1800s, opening up the forests to plant rubber and mine for tin was done by the Chinese. Tin and rubber were the two pillars of the economy in the 19th century and a large part of the 20th century.
And after independence from British rule in 1957, the descendants of these Chinese immigrants followed their parents’ footsteps. Their combined efforts had laid the foundation for modern Malaysia.
According to the book The Chinese Malaysian Contribution published in 2006 and launched by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, it was the Chinese who developed the early tin mining industry.
More than 1.5 million Chinese arrived from China in between 1881 and 1900 to open up tin mines in Perak, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. The later active involvement of the British made Malaya the largest tin producer in the world.
But behind the early success of the tin industry lay the blood, sweat and tears of tin miners, who led a rough and unpredictable life. Very often, a tin mine worker lived only two to three years due to unbearable living conditions.
The influx of Chinese immigrants in the 1850s to open up thick primary forests of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak saw the cultivation of tapioca, gambier, tobacco, sugar cane, pepper, and other spices. Rubber came later.
History records that in 1896, Tan Chay Yan from China pioneered the commercial planting of rubber in Malacca. Other prominent Chinese such as Tan Kah Kee and Lee Kong Chian turned rubber into a key export commodity.
Enterprise, hard work, diligence, frugality, adaptability, and risk taking had served the Chinese well, although similar traits are also seen in successful individuals in other ethnic groups.
After 1957, with most of the locally-born Chinese choosing to become citizens of the newly independent country, the contribution of these Chinese Malayans (and later Malaysians) widened to new sectors.
In the rubber sector, many local Chinese ventured into rubber-based industries. Local Chinese made the first rubber wood furniture in the world. Today, Malaysia is the world’s largest manufacturer of rubber gloves and condoms.
In the palm oil sector, Chinese were among the first planters in the 1960s. The late Tan Sri Ngan Chin Wen from Sitiawan was one of them. The other major players in the sector include Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd’s Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng and IOI Group’s Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng.
In addition, Chinese entrepreneurs have also played a vital role in the downstream activity of palm oil. Lam Soon built the first palm oil refinery in the 1960s. In 1980, Chan Yit Meng built the first Malaysian oleochemical plant in Penang. And since the 1980s, the Kuok Group has been a huge international trader for palm oil. Today, Malaysia is the world’s largest palm oil exporter.
Chinese have also played an important role in the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which accounts for over 90% of all businesses in the manufacturing, services and the agricultural sectors. And 37 out of 50 top tycoons are ethnic Chinese, according to the Forbes’ list of richest Malaysians.
The country has also benefited from the success of Chinese businessmen. Apart from creating jobs, their companies pay huge taxes. In early 2006, Dr Mahathir disclosed that the Chinese were the biggest contributors to government tax revenue.
Many Chinese tycoons are also prepared to share their wealth by donating generously to charities, education and support medical and cultural causes to benefit all races.
One of the most outstanding philanthropists was Tan Kah Kee (1874-1961), who donated all profits from his rice trading, pineapple plantations and canning factories, rubber estates, shipping and food manufacturing to schools, education and other causes in 1925.
His nephew, rubber magnate Tan Lark Sye (1897-1972) followed suit. He was also noted for mobilising the people to set up the Nanyang University of Singapore, which bred many entrepreneurs in the 1960s and 1970s.
Likewise, founder of Lee Rubber Group Lee Kong Chian (1893-1967) gave large donations to universities and schools. The Lee Foundation dishes out RM200 million annually to charities and needy students of all races, according to a director.
The other notable philanthropists include the late Tan Sri Lee Yan Lian, Tan Sri Loh Boon Siew and Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng; Robert Kuok, Tan Sri Vincent Tan, Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah and Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay.
Source : The Edge
Chinese pay more tax, ergo ‘true patriots’
Datuk Zaid Ibrahim dubbed Chinese Malaysians “true patriots” today, claiming the minority group pay more tax in comparison to any other race in the country, including the dominant Malay community.
Since more Chinese pay tax than the Malays they are true patriots,” Zaid said on his Twitter account, @zaidibrahim.
Almost instantly, he posted a second comment to correct his initial response, but which appears to be no less provocative.
“Sorry I think Chinese pay more tax than the Malays. They maybe fewer (sic) Chinese tax payers,” the Kelantan-born politician tweeted.
Source : Malay Mail
T20 contributed 85% of personal income tax
The T20 group contributed 85%, or RM33.68 billion, of the personal income tax collected last year, says the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).
Its director of the CEO’s office, Ranjeet Kaur, said a total of RM39.26 billion in personal income tax was collected in 2022.
The M40 group contributed 13%, or RM5.38 billion, to personal income tax collected in 2022, she told Utusan Malaysia.
The remaining 2% was from miscellaneous categories.
Last year’s personal income tax collection of RM39.26 billion made up 19% of the record RM175.4 billion which LHDN collected.
Corporate tax contributed RM97.94 billion, or 55%, of LHDN’s overall tax revenue last year.
The remaining 26% of LHDN’s overall tax revenue, or RM37.8 billion, was derived from real property gains tax, stamp duties, and taxes on cooperatives.
Source : FMT
Are we part of China now, says Dr M over Chinese characters on signboards
-18 Nov 2024, 06:00 PM
The ex-prime minister maintains that it is fine to use Chinese characters on signboards, but says this should be limited to translations in smaller characters.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad said ‘suddenly I felt I was in China’ when he visited a newer shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur over the past weekend.
PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has questioned the authorities for allowing shops to put up signboards in Chinese with English translations, with nothing in the Malay language.
Mahathir said he noticed several of such shops after visiting a newer shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur over the past weekend, saying “suddenly I felt I was in China”.
He maintained that the use of Chinese characters on signboards was fine, but said this should be limited to translations in smaller characters.
“For English, I can understand why. Even in Japan signboards have English translations. But (these signboards in KL had) big Chinese characters.
Play
“Is this Malaysia or have we become a part of China?” he said in a post on X.
Mahathir claimed that Malaysia was unlike other Southeast Asian nations by allowing shops to display Chinese characters prominently, acknowledging that it could be due to the number of tourists from China.
“But our national language is Malay,” he said.
Last month, Kuala Lumpur City Hall said it issued 20 fault notices and 10 enforcement notices to shop owners for “using languages other than the national language in an excessive manner” from January to Oct 16 this year.
It reminded shop owners to prioritise the use of Malay on their signboards, saying the signboards were not mere decorations but were regulated under the Advertisement (Federal Territory) By-laws 1982.
-19 Nov 2024, 11:47 PM
The administrator of his X account shared pictures of signboards which Dr Mahathir Mohamad himself took when at Pavilion Bukit Jalil.
Yesterday, Dr Mahathir Mohamad questioned if Malaysia had become part of China after seeing several shops at Pavilion Bukit Jalil with large Chinese characters. (X pic)
PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has drawn flak from netizens over his criticism of signboards with large Chinese characters and English translations, but nothing in Malay.
A day after questioning if Malaysia had “become part of China”, the administrator of Mahathir’s X account shared pictures of such signboards of several shops at the Pavilion Bukit Jalil shopping mall.
The administrator said these photos were taken by Mahathir himself when visiting the mall.
However, netizens were quick to disparage the political veteran, questioning why the signboards should be in Malay when these shops sold non-halal food and their target market was Chinese customers.
“If they write ‘roti babi’ (pork buns in Malay) then it would become another issue,” said @wafty_ali.
Similarly, @amino71165 said translating non-halal food products to Malay could “confuse” Muslims.
Others accused Mahathir of practising double standards, pointing out that the now-closed The Loaf bakery that he had owned had an English name and did not have a Malay translation.
One user, @matunique67, also asked cynically whether The Loaf had a Jawi translation on its signboard.
Yesterday, Mahathir said the use of Chinese characters on signboards was fine, but should be limited to translations in smaller characters.
He said his recent visit to Pavilion Bukit Jalil made him feel like he was suddenly in China. While he acknowledged that this could be due to the number of tourists from China, he maintained that “our national language is Malay”.
Last month, Kuala Lumpur City Hall said it had issued 20 fault notices and 10 enforcement notices to shop owners for “using languages other than the national language in an excessive manner” from January till Oct 16 this year.
It reminded shop owners to prioritise the use of Malay on their signboards, saying the signboards were not mere decorations but were regulated under the Advertisement (Federal Territory) By-laws 1982.
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