KUCHING: The Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) appears to have backpedalled on the actions of its youth movement (Dapsy) to affix Chinese characters on road signs in the city recently.
In admitting that the youths might have gone overboard, Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen said Dapsy would arrange for the stickers to be removed.
Chong said he had met with Dapsy leaders and they agreed to own up to their misdeeds and accept whatever penalty or compound issued by the local council for their alleged vandalism.
“At the same time, Dapsy Kuching chief Daphne Ting will also formally present a letter of request to the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) to urge for the restoration of the road signs with dual languages.
“To save DBKU’s money, we will also print out the Chinese character stickers for the three streets’ names to be enclosed with the letter of request to DBKU,” he told a press conference at DAP Headquarters on Saturday.
He was responding to the backlash received by the party following the act by Dapsy to affix Chinese characters at Jalan Main Bazaar, Wayang Street and Jalan Greenhill in Kuching which garnered national media attention.
However, the Stampin MP defended the intent of its youth members, adding that it was merely to preserve and restore the good cultures, traditions and multiculturalism in Sarawak.
He pointed out that multilingual road signs have been in Sarawak for a long time, being a special feature — a hallmark and culture of all Sarawakians.
Claiming that the multilingual road signs have been replaced with just one language by the council, Chong alleged that DBKU had eroded that special legacy and tradition.
He urged DBKU to restore the multilingual road signs and expressed hope that they would take it in good stride.
