Minister Warns Of Tough Action Against Those Exploiting Language

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Hamzah Zainudin and Fadillah Yusuf both spoke out against road sign change.PETALING JAYA: Two federal ministers have come out strongly against Sarawak DAP Youth’s actions to place Chinese characters on several Kuching road signs
Home minister Hamzah Zainudin said the federal government would take stern action against those who turn to racial provocation by exploiting language issues
“Do not do anything following your feelings to lift any group. This country is still a sovereign nation, we took it from the colonisers for the common good, not for the benefit of any race,” Bernama quoted him as saying in Lumut when asked about the DAP Youth actions
Another cabinet member, senior minister Fadillah Yusof, speaking in Petra Jaya, Sarawak, urged “those who want to play politics (to) please take a break”
Fadillah, who is a leader of Sarawak’s PBB, did not make direct reference to any party; however, his remarks, reported by Bernama, were viewed as criticism of the DAP Youth’s signboard protest
He said that in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, “now is not a suitable time (for politicking), it is time for us to work and think about what’s best for the country to overcome the current crisis. We have to stay united so that the burden will get lighter. Let’s work together to face this challenge”
Members of Sarawak DAP Youth, led by former Stampin MP Julian Tan, recently pasted Chinese language road names on several signposts in the city. The party has said that they did so to restore what the North Kuching City Council had removed and that multi-language road signs were commonly used before
However, home minister Hamzah, speaking in his constituency of Larut, Perak, said such actions were against the federal Constitution
Hamzah, who is PPBM secretary-general, was in Larut for the PPBM division’s assembly. He said all divisional elections to elect the party’s leadership council had gone smoothly. - FMT

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