All signboards should be in Bahasa Malaysia and those that do not comply should be brought down, Deputy Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk M.Saravanan.
“If you go to New Delhi, the signboards are in Hindi, so ours should be in Bahasa Malaysia as it is our national language.
“Foreigners should respect our culture and society. We can give some room for languages like Tamil or Chinese but it should be in the appropriate places,” he said.
Finishing touches: Saravanan (right) spraying the grafitti at the launch of the National Language Month in Auditorium DBKL. Looking on are (from left) Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka deputy diretor-general Kamarul Zaman Shaharudin, Ahmad Fuad and DBKL director-general Datuk Salleh Yusup. Saravanan was speaking after launching the National Language Month at the Federal Territory level at Auditorium DBKL in Kuala Lumpur.
The programme is held every year in October to promote Bahasa Malaysia as the national language.
“Perhaps non-governmental organisations could also play a part in promoting Bahasa Malaysia,” he said, adding that the language should be used properly and correctly.
Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail said although it was important to speak other languages like English, people should not feel ashamed about Bahasa Malaysia.
“Contrary to what people think, the Malay language is among the vastly used languages, so we have instill and ensure people grasp it well.
“We can allow other languages in Chinatown, Little India or Bukit Bintang because it adds to the character of the place but Bahasa Malaysia should be used as well,” he said.
Saravanan also said two foreigners manning the Deepavali bazaars in Brickfields were caught but the employer came to their defence.
“The licences were issued to local residents through the association that deals with traders.
“There have been complaints on foreigners and DBKL will take action but we cannot monitor them round the clock so everyone has to play their part,” he said.
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