Fazzruddin: ‘Desperate’ DAP willing to do anything ahead of state polls
KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) Youth expressed regret that Democratic Action Party ( DAP) members in the state have chosen to capitalise on the language used on road signs here to the point of ‘ bragging’ about it on social media.
PBB Youth deputy chief Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman said DAP’s recent act of harping on the language used on road signs in the city could lead to racial tension and even be considered as seditious.
“DAP, after failing to fulfil its promises made during the 14th general election when given the opportunity to rule the country, is clearly now desperate to do something ahead of the 12th Sarawak state election, and is willing to politicise the Chinese language issue only for the party’s vested interests.
“Such a negative political culture is not accepted in Sarawak that places unity above all,” he said in a statement, in response to the actions of a group of DAP members yesterday to affix Chinese characters onto several road signs in the city.
The Tupong assemblyman felt that racial tension was bound to arise when language, culture and religion are used as a “weapon”.
“Under the Sedition Act 1948, anyone who is considered as trying to create tension by raising issues that will bring about tensed atmosphere, conflicts and putting social order at stake can be subjected to appropriate action,” he added.
According to him, DAP’s affixing of Chinese characters on the road signs without the permission of the local authorities clearly violates the provisions of the Federal Constitution and the National Language Act 1963/67, which stipulates that the national language should be used in all official government affairs including road signs.
As such, Fazzrudin requested the local authorities to take legal action against those involved, saying action should be taken before the matter resulted in an uncomfortable situation among the community, thereby putting at risk the racial harmony in the state.
He said PBB Youth believed that all Sarawakians irrespective of race and religion loved their respective languages and cultures, but at the same time, all must respect the Federal Constitution and the national language.
He stressed that everyone must be realistic and continue to preserve the social harmony that they have been enjoying all this while.