Use BM for Signages!

As many of us are aware, UMNO is the acronym for United Malays National Organisation. But Dr M in his 22 years as  the President of UMNO, did not insist for the party to be identified and referred to officially and publicly in Bahasa Malaysia, Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu (PEKEMBAR) instead of UMNO. 

Dr M recently called for the prioritisation of Bahasa Malaysia on business premises in the city.

When he was the President of UMNO, he didn’t refer to UMNO’s HQ, to its name in Bahasa Malaysia Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra instead of PWTC which is the acronym for Putra World Trade Centre. He said English on the signboards, he can understand but not why the Chinese language which was displayed prominently. This should be limited to translations in smaller characters.

 

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org

The last time, a non halal beverage (Timah whisky) used a Bahasa Malaysia term for its brand with English in smaller characters, it caused an uproar, and some called for the manufacturer to be banned. 

If he is sincere and concerned about the lack of usage of Bahasa Malaysia in signages, take the public transport and go around Kuala Lumpur. He will find himself in Pakistan with the big Pakistan bazaar at Masjid Jamek station. Take a stroll slowly to Leboh Ampang and he will find himself in India. Proceed to Jalan Silang and he will be entering Nepal, Myanmar and Vietnam at one go. There is no country border here. All of them mixed in one place. 

Quickly take a bus or monorail to Jalan Bukit Bintang. Here he will enter Africa, Middle East, China and Uzbekistan in one place. It’s a food haven. Then take the bus to Jalan Chow Kit. He will now enter Indonesia. There is Jawa Timur, Jawa Barat, Madura, Bali and particularly all parts of Indonesia at one place. He won't find this even if he goes to Indonesia itself. 

Not only are we part of China now. We are also part of Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Vietnam, Africa, Uzbekistan, India and Indonesia. Does he welcome the presence of these various nationalities in the country’s capital? 

As with every business, the owners will try and push their luck in their application for permits / licences. If those who approved the licences and permits for them to operate are strict in their approval process and enforcement, do you think these business owners would have done anything different? All these didn’t drop from the sky suddenly. Who monitors them and carries out enforcement to ensure they operates within the confines of their approved permits and licensing? Who collects the fees for the licensing and permits? 

So, why don’t we just celebrate under the slogan “Live and Let Live”!

 

Reference:

Use BM for Timah whisky you complain, use English for buildings you complain, use Chinese for a non halal edible eat…, Opinion, https://newswav.com, 24 November 2024