What started as a simple banner at the Taman Kosas intersection in Ampang has now sparked a wider conversation about language, culture and what it means to live in a multicultural Malaysia.
Malaysian Muslim preacher Ridhuan Tee questioned why banners promoting the Hungry Ghost Festival were displayed entirely in Chinese. His concern was straightforward: when something is placed in a public space, where does the national language stand?
Ridhuan questioned the city council
“Isn’t MPAJ monitoring this? Freedom of religion is indeed guaranteed, but the national agenda must be respected.”
However, Lembah Jaya assemblyman Syed Ahmad bin Syed Abdul Rahman Al-Hadad, widely known as the Malaysian rapper and entertainer Altimet, believes the issue should not grow beyond what it needs to be.
In his response via Threads on Monday (17 August), he acknowledged that Bahasa Melayu, as Malaysia’s national language, must be respected. At the same time, he argued that Malaysia’s diverse communities should be allowed to celebrate and preserve their respective traditions and cultures.
“Regarding the use of language on that banner, we need to look at the context and purpose of the communication material.”
“If a banner is intended specifically for a particular community, the use of the community’s language is not something extraordinary,” Altimet shared via Threads.
Altimet
Altimet explained that the Hungry Ghost Festival is a long-standing Chinese cultural tradition associated with remembering ancestors and showing compassion towards spirits believed to have no family or descendants. Whatever one’s personal beliefs, its cultural significance to the Chinese community is undeniable.
For Altimet, the solution is simple: respect the culture while following the rules.
Don’t let one banner undermine the harmony the Ampang community has built and maintained for decades
He explained that if local council guidelines require banners displayed in public spaces to be in Bahasa Melayu, those rules should be followed. If a violation has occurred, the relevant authorities should take the necessary action.
According to Altimet, he had already asked MPAJ to look into the matter, and action had been taken.
Altimet also pointed out that in this matter, there is no need to blow the issue out of proportion to the point of causing racial conflict.
“I would like to advise Brother Ridhuan Tee not to turn cultural matters such as this into an issue that fuels suspicion or tension between communities.”
“Not every issue needs to be turned into a racial conflict. Malaysia is big enough for all of us to live together while respecting one another.”
What do you think of Altimet’s take on this matter?
