KUCHING, Aug 21: Leave the road signages alone and stop playing politics with racial tones, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang told Kuching Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy).
“I am most unhappy with the DAP tactics of vandalising the road signages in Kuching city.
“This issue sparks off a lot of unnecessary debates with racial undertones in social media which is so ‘un-Sarawak’. We don’t need such a political game here,” he lashed out in a statement today.
He joined many other youth leaders of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in condemning Dapsy members’ attempt to restore Chinese characters on the road signages for Jalan Main Bazaar, Wayang Street and Jalan Green Hill here yesterday, which they alleged had been removed by Kuching North City Commission (DBKU).
Lo, who is also Padawan Municipal Council (PMC) chairman, warned members of the opposition not to disturb, damage and disrupt the racial harmony that the diverse communities in Sarawak had long enjoyed and safeguarded using such sensitive issues.
“We are a multiracial state and we have a great example to show to the rest of Malaysia and even the world of our unique harmony. So why spoil it?,” he questioned.
“For decades, we have lived together as a family and we should not let a few road signages mar that harmony. DAP should not forget that Sarawak comprises many other races, Chinese, Malay, Dayak, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and so on,” he reminded.
Lo thus slammed that using such issues to win votes for political mileage was indeed foolish and unintelligent.
He said there were road signages with Chinese characters in Sibu, Miri, other towns and even in Padawan areas as it was good for Chinese tourists.
“But no one should drag this issue into a political one. The local councils will take note of all public requests and act on them where appropriate,” he added.
Irked by DAP’s senseless actions, he stressed that the Peninsula-based party can do what they want in Peninsular Malaysia instead of bringing in such toxic tactics to Sarawak.
“DAP, don’t try to be clever and take things into your own hands. Don’t bring this kind of political culture into harmonious Sarawak.
“Let us be thankful and appreciate what we are enjoying. Let us remind ourselves not to take the peace and harmony in Sarawak for granted,” he urged.
Yesterday former Stampin MP Julian Tan together with a group of Dapsy members had attached the Chinese names of Jalan Main Bazaar, Wayang Street and Jalan Green Hill on the road signages.
Tan said that it was part of Sarawak’s culture to have dual languages for road signages at appropriate places.
They reasoned that the three signages were chosen as a lot of businesses there were run by the Chinese community while the locations were a major tourist spot with the oldest Chinese temple in Kuching.-DayakDaily
