MCA opposes alleged bid to drop Petaling Street's Chinese characters
Published: Feb 24, 2025 10:43 AM
Updated: 4:02 PM
Summary
- MCA strongly opposes the removal of Chinese characters for Petaling Street in signboards.
- Party president Wee Ka Siong also calls for local elections in Kuala Lumpur.
- DAP Youth national secretary Lim Chun Weng urges Wee to disclose details of the alleged proposal, accusing him of undermining the government from within.
MCA has come out strongly against an alleged suggestion to remove the Chinese characters for Petaling Street from signboards in the capital city.
Citing Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association chairperson Ang Say Tee, MCA president Wee Ka Siong said the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is mulling such a move.
“According to Ang, DBKL is considering removing the three Chinese characters for Petaling Street (茨廠街) from signage,” he said in a statement today.
He argued that it should suffice for signs to comply with existing laws.
“As long as it complies with the 1982 Advertisement Act (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) and the 1976 Local Government Act, which require the national language to be prominently displayed and larger than other languages, the presence of the Chinese characters should not be an issue,” Wee (above) said.
He explained that Petaling Street’s Chinese name comes from a tapioca flour factory established by Yap Ah Loy, who helped develop Kuala Lumpur from a tin mining settlement.
Citing Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association chairperson Ang Say Tee, MCA president Wee Ka Siong said the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is mulling such a move.
“According to Ang, DBKL is considering removing the three Chinese characters for Petaling Street (茨廠街) from signage,” he said in a statement today.
He argued that it should suffice for signs to comply with existing laws.
“As long as it complies with the 1982 Advertisement Act (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) and the 1976 Local Government Act, which require the national language to be prominently displayed and larger than other languages, the presence of the Chinese characters should not be an issue,” Wee (above) said.
He explained that Petaling Street’s Chinese name comes from a tapioca flour factory established by Yap Ah Loy, who helped develop Kuala Lumpur from a tin mining settlement.
MCA president Wee Ka Siong
In November, the Malaysia Chinese Restaurant Association (MCRA) claimed businesses faced escalating costs due to DBKL’s crackdown on signages.
The week before, China Press reported that DBKL launched a large-scale operation targeting signages not displaying Malay language across various areas, including Segambut, Pudu, and Jalan Silang in the city centre.
While details are scarce, comments from politicians indicate that Chinese businesses with signs that did not comply with DBKL’s Malay language requirements were among those affected.
However, DBKL advisory board member Andre Lai said the operation targeted all illegal signage, not just those with the Chinese language.
Local government elections
Meanwhile, Wee called for local elections in Kuala Lumpur, noting the lack of elected people’s representatives in the city aside from MPs.
“Conducting local elections would allow more elected representatives (local councillors) to assist MPs in addressing local livelihood issues and solving community concerns,” he said.
In November, the Malaysia Chinese Restaurant Association (MCRA) claimed businesses faced escalating costs due to DBKL’s crackdown on signages.
The week before, China Press reported that DBKL launched a large-scale operation targeting signages not displaying Malay language across various areas, including Segambut, Pudu, and Jalan Silang in the city centre.
While details are scarce, comments from politicians indicate that Chinese businesses with signs that did not comply with DBKL’s Malay language requirements were among those affected.
However, DBKL advisory board member Andre Lai said the operation targeted all illegal signage, not just those with the Chinese language.
Local government elections
Meanwhile, Wee called for local elections in Kuala Lumpur, noting the lack of elected people’s representatives in the city aside from MPs.
“Conducting local elections would allow more elected representatives (local councillors) to assist MPs in addressing local livelihood issues and solving community concerns,” he said.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall
In December 2023, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming dismissed the restoration of local government elections as a priority.
Nga stressed that he is “always in touch” with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa over the matter.
Zaliha previously pledged to hold discussions with Nga on the matter and pointed out there are more pertinent issues that need to be prioritised, including governance of strata properties.
Malaysia held its last local government election in 1963, after which it was “suspended” indefinitely.
DAP demands details
In an immediate response, DAP Youth national secretary Lim Chun Weng called on the MCA president to provide a clear explanation regarding the alleged proposal.
He also called for the names and details of the officials involved to be disclosed.
Lim stressed that Petaling Street, as a historic landmark of Kuala Lumpur, carries significant cultural and historical value for the Chinese community.
He said any action affecting Chinese language signage is a serious allegation against the ruling government coalition, and since Wee raised the issue, he must take responsibility for clarifying the matter.
In December 2023, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming dismissed the restoration of local government elections as a priority.
Nga stressed that he is “always in touch” with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa over the matter.
Zaliha previously pledged to hold discussions with Nga on the matter and pointed out there are more pertinent issues that need to be prioritised, including governance of strata properties.
Malaysia held its last local government election in 1963, after which it was “suspended” indefinitely.
DAP demands details
In an immediate response, DAP Youth national secretary Lim Chun Weng called on the MCA president to provide a clear explanation regarding the alleged proposal.
He also called for the names and details of the officials involved to be disclosed.
Lim stressed that Petaling Street, as a historic landmark of Kuala Lumpur, carries significant cultural and historical value for the Chinese community.
He said any action affecting Chinese language signage is a serious allegation against the ruling government coalition, and since Wee raised the issue, he must take responsibility for clarifying the matter.
DAP Youth national secretary Lim Chun Weng
“Petaling Street bears witness to the century-long development of the Chinese community in Kuala Lumpur and is an important cultural asset.
“Wee’s accusation is alarming, as under the 1982 Advertisement Act (Federal Territories) and the 1976 Local Government Act, Chinese signage is legally protected as long as it meets specifications.
“This issue concerns not only the rights of the Chinese community but also the reputation of the unity government, which is why Wee must explain in detail,” Lim said.
He further stated that if officials indeed suggested removing the Chinese signage, Wee, as part of the ruling coalition, should help investigate and expose any abuses of power.
However, Lim said that if the Ayer Hitam MP fails to provide solid evidence and is merely making baseless claims, his actions could be seen as sabotaging the government and serving Perikatan Nasional’s political agenda.
“Wee has repeatedly undermined the unity government from within. Given the sensitivity of this allegation, he must provide concrete details immediately.
“Otherwise, it raises suspicions that he is deliberately stirring controversy to sow division and weaken Chinese community support for the government,” Lim added.
The Negeri Sembilan DAP publicity secretary also reiterated that Wee must base his statements on facts and not mislead the public with unverified information.
“As MCA president, Wee should handle issues affecting the Chinese community with caution.
“Since he has publicly raised this matter, he must have complete information and should immediately disclose all relevant details so that the truth can be known, and those damaging the government’s reputation can be exposed.”
“Petaling Street bears witness to the century-long development of the Chinese community in Kuala Lumpur and is an important cultural asset.
“Wee’s accusation is alarming, as under the 1982 Advertisement Act (Federal Territories) and the 1976 Local Government Act, Chinese signage is legally protected as long as it meets specifications.
“This issue concerns not only the rights of the Chinese community but also the reputation of the unity government, which is why Wee must explain in detail,” Lim said.
He further stated that if officials indeed suggested removing the Chinese signage, Wee, as part of the ruling coalition, should help investigate and expose any abuses of power.
However, Lim said that if the Ayer Hitam MP fails to provide solid evidence and is merely making baseless claims, his actions could be seen as sabotaging the government and serving Perikatan Nasional’s political agenda.
“Wee has repeatedly undermined the unity government from within. Given the sensitivity of this allegation, he must provide concrete details immediately.
“Otherwise, it raises suspicions that he is deliberately stirring controversy to sow division and weaken Chinese community support for the government,” Lim added.
The Negeri Sembilan DAP publicity secretary also reiterated that Wee must base his statements on facts and not mislead the public with unverified information.
“As MCA president, Wee should handle issues affecting the Chinese community with caution.
“Since he has publicly raised this matter, he must have complete information and should immediately disclose all relevant details so that the truth can be known, and those damaging the government’s reputation can be exposed.”
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