Billboards in Kedah - 'This is Tanah Melayu, not negeri orang putih'

Billboards in Kedah - 'This is Tanah Melayu, not negeri orang putih'


Published: Jan 20, 2025 2:24 PM


Summary

• Kedah exco Mansor Zakaria says mandating the use of Jawi as the second script on signboards in the state will show visitors that they are in “Tanah Melayu, Malaysia”, not “negeri orang putih” (Western country).

• Mansor says the measure will also encourage the use of Jawi, adding that many existing signboards are already using it without issues.

• Provocative images of women and racial messages are prohibited, he adds.

Mansor Zakaria, the Kedah local government and health exco, is confident that making Jawi mandatory as the second script, after the Roman alphabet, on all billboards and signboards in the PAS-led state would not disrupt racial harmony.

“We want people to recognise that when they come to Kedah, they are in Tanah Melayu, Malaysia. We are not a ‘negeri orang putih’ (Western nation) or anything like that. We want people to understand and be able to read.

“That is why we want the Roman alphabet to be a mandatory script on billboards,” he said, explaining that the Jawi script would serve as a secondary script to encourage its use.

Mansor Zakaria


According to Harakah Daily, Mansor said many signs or billboards already used Jawi as a secondary script, and there have been no issues.

Therefore, he added that non-Muslim communities should not feel afraid or worried about the proposal and suggestion.

No provocative images of women, racial messages

On the prohibition of displaying provocative images of women, he described it as a good approach to prevent the exploitation or objectification of women.

He stressed that women must be respected and protected from being treated in such a way that solely aims to boost product sales or other purposes.

As for barring writings with racial overtones, he said these have the potential to disrupt racial harmony and could threaten stability and unity among the diverse communities in the state.

“This means the enforcement we will implement will protect women’s rights and maintain harmony among us. Here in Kedah, we want the people to live peacefully, united, and tolerant.

“We do not want displays or writings intended to undermine racial harmony and divide the community,” Mansor added.

These matters, he explained, form the foundation of a state, and everything displayed should benefit the public.

‘Non-Malays shouldn’t be concerned’

Mansor advised all communities, especially non-Malays, not to be concerned or perceive the proposal negatively.

“We are proposing something good because, as a government, we want positive initiatives to set an example for the community.

“The script we are mandating, which is the Roman alphabet, can be read by all segments of society and the majority of the state’s population,” he added.

Previously, Mansor said there were criticisms, especially from Chinese-language newspapers, following his statement on the usage of the Jawi script.

“Although there are many comments in Chinese-language newspapers and others, we hope the people of this country and state will not view the matter negatively but instead see it from a positive perspective,” he added.

On Jan 14, Mansor said other languages could also be used as a third script on billboards.🐃🐃🐃

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BluePanther4725

3 hours ago

The Jawi alphabet is not the local language of Malaysia. We are not 'Tanah Arab'.


ScarletViper9930

4 hours ago

It was Tanah Melayu, but became Tanah Malaysia since 1963.Please keep up with the times!And since that time, Malaysia has it's own identity, that is one embracing a multi racial multi cultural one, the "whites" has never been an issue, except for those who are still obsessed them in their minds.The issue in this country has been and always be whether the majority race will accept the other citizens in this country who has every right to be here? Let us not forget, they themselves are not indigenous here but are occupiers just as they accused the minorities as pendatangs!The all important moral question is: are you doing unto others as you want others to do unto you? Because on this human principal stands all the laws of the nations! If you are not willing, the problem is you!


Proarte

6 hours ago


Langkawi is a tourist destination which has great potential. Statistics show that Langkawi is now losing out to adjacent Thailand is terms if attracting all strata of tourists including Kedahans.

If the signs are in Jawi, how will foreigners understand directions when English is a universal language? Why is the administration being obviously and unnecesarily xenophobic ?

PAS should realise that not all tourists are " orang putih " which they seem to have an inexplicable animus against. Indian tourists, African tourists and Chinese tourists which form the majority of visitors, are not " orang putih ".

Even if there is a racist anti-
" orang putih " reason to use Jawi as opposed to the universal language English, they are inconveniencing foreign tourists who contribute to the economy of the Malays who form the majority in Kedah.

The use of Jawi is a pointless " cangkul angin" and " bodoh sombong " exercise, to use Malay proverbs which aptly describes the Kedah PAS government mindset.



Almond

6 hours ago

Rats , crows , flood & broken pipe plenty that effect kedahan.
Please look into it.



YL Lai

6 hours ago

Maybe he have big company making signboard?

😂😁😅😆😊