Kedah exco defends use of Chinese script on factory foundation stone
Published: Nov 20, 2025 3:13 PM
Updated: 6:46 PM
Kedah state industry and investment executive councillor Haim Hilman Abdullah has denied allegations that the use of Chinese writing on the foundation stone at Kedah Rubber City recently reflects the state government’s disrespect for the national language.
In a statement on Facebook, he said Bahasa Malaysia was still used in the speeches at the groundbreaking event and that the Kedah and Malaysian flags were displayed as usual.
Haim said the presence of Chinese script on the foundation stone was part of a gesture of respect towards the identity of the foreign investors involved in the project.
“Investors from abroad bring technology, job opportunities, and livelihood for the people. As hosts, we respect their identity, just as they respect our multiracial language and culture.
“PAS and Perikatan Nasional are not narrow-minded. We have never blocked progress, nor restricted anyone’s rights regarding religion or ethnicity.
“We defend the identity of the nation, but at the same time we open the door to billions of ringgit in investments for the future of our people,” he said, adding that Kedah’s strong record of foreign investment reflects the state government’s openness.
Haim’s statement came following a viral video on social media showing Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor claiming that land in the state is being seized by foreigners.
“Those who fight us, they come back from Taiwan, China, Singapore. They (these people) vote for Pakatan Harapan. They destroy us… colonise our land because they know how important this land is to control.
“Because we’re stupid, you’re stupid. This state has already been taken,” Sanusi said in the video.
Investment injection
Commenting further, Haim said that if it were true that the state government was shutting its doors to other communities, investments from countries such as Japan, the United States, Europe, and China would not be entering Kedah.
Regarding the reaction to the use of Chinese writing on the foundation stone, Haim described such criticism as baseless.
Kedah state industry and investment executive councillor Haim Hilman Abdullah
“Apparently, they are afraid of a foundation stone with Chinese characters meaning ‘laying the foundation’.
“They look at the Kedah flag and think it’s the flag of China. What makes them so phobic?” he asked.
On Tuesday, Kedah Rubber City received an investment injection of RM2.6 billion from Chinese tyre manufacturer Prinx Chengshan Holdings Ltd.
The investment for the construction of the tyre manufacturing plant makes it the first investor in the industrial park.
The smart and eco-friendly factory project, supported by the Northern Corridor Economic Region, involves an allocation of RM1.2 billion for the first phase and RM1.4 billion for the second phase over 15 years.
“Apparently, they are afraid of a foundation stone with Chinese characters meaning ‘laying the foundation’.
“They look at the Kedah flag and think it’s the flag of China. What makes them so phobic?” he asked.
On Tuesday, Kedah Rubber City received an investment injection of RM2.6 billion from Chinese tyre manufacturer Prinx Chengshan Holdings Ltd.
The investment for the construction of the tyre manufacturing plant makes it the first investor in the industrial park.
The smart and eco-friendly factory project, supported by the Northern Corridor Economic Region, involves an allocation of RM1.2 billion for the first phase and RM1.4 billion for the second phase over 15 years.
The foundation stone should have at least writing in both Bahasa and Chinese, to respect the country where they are in.
ReplyDeleteI see only Chinese script there, which is not right.
There is a similar recent foundation laying of a Taiwanese firm in Kulim High Tech Park, which I was invited to attend, and the foundation stone had English, Malay, and Chinese words.
You gotta respect your host country.