Dewan Rakyat Erupts Into Chaos as Opposition MP Calls Signboard Language Issue “Embarrassing”

Dewan Rakyat erupted into chaos yesterday morning (November 25), after an opposition MP made statements about Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing’s stance on the issue of bilingual signboard regulations by DBKL.

The MP, Datuk Seri Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah) shared her shock and disappointment over the issue.

“I am surprised by the statement by the Minister of MOTAC (Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture) who claimed that DBKL’s actions to ensure businesses display signs in the national language will influence tourists’ decision to visit Malaysia and undermine the country’s tourism competitiveness,”

“This is an untrue and shameful statement, as the Minister of Tourism, (Tiong) should be upholding our culture and defending arts and culture,” she said.

She went on to remind Dewan Rakyat of the Sultan of Selangor’s orders to remove Chinese-written signboards back in 2018 and shared her belief that Tiong is creating drama using a racial agenda.

Chaos ensued

Raub MP, Chow Yu Hui and Kampar MP, Chong Zemin, raised concerns over Masjid Tanah MP’s statement on Tiong, with the latter raising Rules 36(6) and 36(12), stating that she is making malicious allegations against Tiong.

However, Masjid Tanah MP did not back down and went on to share that Tiong’s stance on this matter is very dangerous and can be considered as touching on 3R (religion, race and royalty) issues. She also said that Tiong’s statement on this matter is as if he is belittling tourists from China.

“Take a look at Thailand, take a look at Indonesia, no one is busy trying to please tourists (to the point of) using (the tourists’) own language. But in Malaysia, why are we doing this? It’s embarrassing!”

Both the Raub MP and Kampar MP began speaking over the Masjid Tanah MP, though she still proceeded.

“I don’t think Chinese tourists would even be surprised (if signs in Malaysia do not use Mandarin), they can still enter shops, they can still visit,” she said before the yelling from the Raub MP and the Kampar MP became too loud to hear anything else.

At this point, Deputy Speaker Alice Lau had to step in and insist that Masjid Tanah MP wrap up her debate, to which Masjid Tanah MP said that the MADANI government should switch Tiong out of his position as Tourism Minister.

You can check out all the chaos here (2:49:40): 

What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.

Also read: “Low class attitude” – Tourism Minister Bashed for ‘Inviting’ Female MP to ‘Fight Outside’ Parliament