Kuala Lumpur advisory board member Andre Lai. - PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDRE LAI
THE recent operation by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) on business signboards was not influenced by anyone, says a Kuala Lumpur advisory board member.
In a statement to StarMetro, advisor Andre Lai denied any relations between the operation, which was conducted on Nov 21 in almost all parliament constituencies in the federal capital, and recent remarks by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who had criticised the absence of Malay language on shops' signboards.
Lai also refuted claims that the operation was targeted only at Chinese businesses.
"All DBKL's enforcements are conducted strictly in accordance with pre-set plans and procedures, not based on extreme comments and external pressures.
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"The enforcement on Nov 21 was targeted at all business signboards that violated rules, including those using Bangladeshi, Korean and Arabian languages. It is not solely focused on Mandarin signboards.
"It is also to remind businesses in Kuala Lumpur to abide by regulations when putting up signboards," he said.
DBKL has carried out enforcement on business signboards that violated language rules on Nov 21 across all parliament constituencies in Kuala Lumpur. - PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDRE LAI
He further emphasised that the operation was conducted after the end of the seven-day notices issued to the businesses.
"DBKL will also explain their enforcement activities on their official social media platforms every week. This operation was just the same as any other routine enforcement," he added.
He also lamented the exploitation of language issues for political gains, calling it "irresponsible".
"Kuala Lumpur is a city with rich cultural diversity where people from all ethnicities live together harmoniously.
"Hence, dividing the people with issues such as Mandarin signboards will damage national unity and contradict our common values.
"All parties should pay attention to actual issues such as upgrade of the city's infrastructure, but not trapping themselves in baseless arguments," he said.
Moving forward, Lai said he is confident that DBKL can meet the needs of all stakeholders if communications are done properly.
"DBKL has never brought troubles to any businesses, be it local or international.
"Thus, I believe DBKL will continue holding on to its principles to carry out fair enforcement and establish a better living and business environment for the residents.
"For Mahathir, I suggest him to let the government and DBKL manage Kuala Lumpur matters," he added.
