DAPSY ROAD SIGNAGE
KUCHING: It is sufficient to just use either English or Bahasa Malaysia on road signs as both are official languages in Sarawak, opined Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Women chief Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodie.
She said the English language was an international language and almost everyone across the globe could speak and understand it.
“While we are enthusiastic to encourage and welcome tourists to our state, we cannot be catering to all the tongues of our visitors.
“Hospitality is not limited to just road signs but it can be demonstrated through our colourful cultures such as our cuisines, religious tolerance and many others,” she said in a statement on Friday.
She was commenting on Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth’s (Dapsy) action of putting up road signage in Chinese characters at the city last Thursday.
“As far as I know, road signage in the state is under the jurisdiction of the local authorities. Therefore, no individuals or any other parties can change them at their whim and fancies without the consent or permission of the local authorities,” she said.
She also reminded that political parties have to be mindful to not go overboard in politics and especially when it relates to racial and religious issues in Sarawak.
“Sarawak is unique with more than 28 ethnic groups practising various beliefs, cultures, languages and dialects.
“So, do not adopt or import an unhealthy racist culture as practised by a certain political party because it is unhealthy for Sarawak and its colourful and plural society,” she said.
