'What's your BM grade? I'll teach you English' - Jagdeep vs PN rep
Published: May 20, 2025 2:19 PM
Updated: 4:24 PM
A commotion broke out in the Penang state assembly when a Perikatan Nasional lawmaker called on Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo to deliver his speech in Bahasa Malaysia.
The Star reported that the comment sparked reactions echoing throughout the chamber.
Jagdeep (above), in the middle of answering a question, fired back at Azmi Alang (PN-Teluk Ayer Tawar), insisting he had indeed spoken in Bahasa Malaysia and not just English.
“Whatever I have spoken, I have started with Bahasa Malaysia.
“What did Teluk Ayer Tawar get in SPM for Bahasa Malaysia? Dare to answer?
“After I have spoken in Bahasa Malaysia and if you do not understand English, I shall come and teach you,” he quipped with a smile.
At that moment, speaker Law Choo Kiang stepped in, playing peacemaker, reminding everyone that official proceedings are preferably conducted in Bahasa Malaysia.
Penang state assembly speaker Law Choo Kiang
Acknowledging the suggestion, Jagdeep apologised before continuing, promising to proceed in Bahasa Malaysia but not without a little reminder of English’s global influence.
“I have no problems with Bahasa Malaysia.
“It is (English) the lingua franca of the world. Sorry, sorry, sorry, I’ve been here for 18 years,” he said.
Constructing non-Muslim houses of worship
In a separate development, Bernama reported that the Penang government will hold more frequent engagements with associations representing non-Muslim houses of worship regarding the importance of submitting an official application before building any structure.
State Social Development, Welfare and Non-Muslim Religious Affairs Committee chairperson Lim Siew Khim said this is to prevent non-Muslim houses of worship from being built without permission.
“The state government’s initial approach is to collaborate with the Registrar of Societies Department to encourage each non-Muslim house of worship to register their detailed information.
“This will help the state government maintain an official record of the existence of every non-Muslim house of worship.
“The next step is for the state government to establish a clear policy requiring that any construction or modification of non-Muslim houses of worship must obtain planning permission and building plan confirmation through the state’s One-Stop Centre,” she said.
She was responding to an oral question from Amir Hamzah Abdul Hashim @ Md Hashim (PN-Permatang Pasir) on the number of non-Muslim houses of worship built without permission in Penang from 2023 to 2025 and the state government’s efforts or mechanisms to ensure compliance in the building of these structures.
Lim said the planning permission and building plan verification are to ensure that the design, structure and location of the building comply with the Uniform Building By-Laws and the approved land use plan.
She said 43 non-Muslim house of worship sites without permission have been identified in the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) area while the Penang City Council (MBPP) recorded 149 sites from 2023 to 2024, with the number decreasing to 115 in the MBPP area and 21 in the MBSP area as of this month.
“This proves that the monitoring efforts have had a positive impact towards resolving the issue,” she added.
Acknowledging the suggestion, Jagdeep apologised before continuing, promising to proceed in Bahasa Malaysia but not without a little reminder of English’s global influence.
“I have no problems with Bahasa Malaysia.
“It is (English) the lingua franca of the world. Sorry, sorry, sorry, I’ve been here for 18 years,” he said.
Constructing non-Muslim houses of worship
In a separate development, Bernama reported that the Penang government will hold more frequent engagements with associations representing non-Muslim houses of worship regarding the importance of submitting an official application before building any structure.
State Social Development, Welfare and Non-Muslim Religious Affairs Committee chairperson Lim Siew Khim said this is to prevent non-Muslim houses of worship from being built without permission.
“The state government’s initial approach is to collaborate with the Registrar of Societies Department to encourage each non-Muslim house of worship to register their detailed information.
“This will help the state government maintain an official record of the existence of every non-Muslim house of worship.
“The next step is for the state government to establish a clear policy requiring that any construction or modification of non-Muslim houses of worship must obtain planning permission and building plan confirmation through the state’s One-Stop Centre,” she said.
She was responding to an oral question from Amir Hamzah Abdul Hashim @ Md Hashim (PN-Permatang Pasir) on the number of non-Muslim houses of worship built without permission in Penang from 2023 to 2025 and the state government’s efforts or mechanisms to ensure compliance in the building of these structures.
Lim said the planning permission and building plan verification are to ensure that the design, structure and location of the building comply with the Uniform Building By-Laws and the approved land use plan.
She said 43 non-Muslim house of worship sites without permission have been identified in the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) area while the Penang City Council (MBPP) recorded 149 sites from 2023 to 2024, with the number decreasing to 115 in the MBPP area and 21 in the MBSP area as of this month.
“This proves that the monitoring efforts have had a positive impact towards resolving the issue,” she added.
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