“Don’t you understand BM?” – Dr Akmal Responds to Tourism Minister’s Take on Dual Language Signboards

The Tourism Minister recently shared his thoughts about DBKL’s “extreme enforcement” on dual language signboards. 

In brief, Tiong King Sing said he was allegedly asked by tourists if Malaysia is a racist and extremist country due to the signboard matter. Now, the UMNO Youth Chief is responding to Tiong’s statement via a Facebook post, sharing his take on what he believes actually causes racial tension in the country.

According to him, it’s not the marginalising of the national language on signboards.

In his post, Akmal tells Tiong,

“What causes racial tension is the people who have stayed here for a long time yet still ignore the laws and sensitivities of Malaysians.”

Akmal then shared what he realised when travelling abroad, arguing that other countries would use their respective national languages as the main language on signboards, followed by another language(s) for translation.

“If you can’t understand something as simple as this, how are you going to explain to others, YB? Or do you not understand Bahasa Melayu?”

Tiong apologises to Chinese tourists

Speaking at the 2024 China International Travel Mart in Shanghai recently, Tiong acknowledged the challenges faced by Chinese tourists in Malaysia and extended his apologies to them for their unpleasant experiences in Malaysia in the past, reported Sin Chew.

“On behalf of the Malaysian government, I sincerely apologise for any shortcomings and offer our deepest apologies to the Chinese tourists affected”

“This issue is being closely monitored by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who has instructed relevant departments to strictly enhance tourism safety measures and to ensure that every visitor has a pleasant and memorable experience.”

What do you think of both Akmal and Tiong’s take on this matter?

Also read: “Are we in New York?” – M’sian Baffled by English Signboards in KL, Says The City Should Learn from Terengganu