KUALA LUMPUR: Bahasa Melayu is prioritsed over other languages on business signboards but some "adjustments" should be allowed in certain circumstances, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
Nga said the rules governing business signboards permitted the use of Chinese characters as long as they were smaller than the Bahasa Melayu text.
He said his ministry advocated for an inclusive and progressive approach.
Nga said this in his speech at the 69th Anniversary Dinner of Poi Lam High School and the 44th Anniversary of the Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations in Ipoh last night.
"Malaysia is not China. We respect the national language. As long as the Chinese characters are smaller than the Malay text, this aligns with our policy," he said.
Nga said some "adjustments" to the policy should be allowed in certain cases.
"In Chinese-majority areas, there are shops that sell dishes such as pork noodles, how should we translate this into Malay? Adjustments can be made based on local needs and circumstances," he said.
Nga's comments come after former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had recently said that businesses in some areas in Kuala Lumpur had signboards in Chinese characters without any Bahasa Melayu text.
Dr Mahathir had said the national language should be prioritised on business signboards.
Nga said Dr Mahathir should "reflect on why his political journey has become increasingly narrow-minded".
"The tides of global affairs are ever-changing. With China rising as a major power, Malaysia must foster good relations and establish strong friendships with all countries," he said.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall has also issued a statement to explain its policy on bilingual signs in the city.
"Business owners are required to apply for an advertisement signage licence before installing any signs, as stipulated under Paragraph 5 (1) of the Kuala Lumpur Advertisement By-Laws 1982.
"One mandatory document for approval is a visual confirmation from Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), the national language authority.
"As per the Advertisement By-Laws (Federal Territory) 1982 and the Local Government Act 1976, all advertisements must primarily be in the national language (Malay).
"Other languages may also be used, but the text in the national language must take priority, with larger font sizes than any text in other languages.
"Secondly, if the name of a business, association, or company, as registered under the Business Registration Act 1956, the Companies Act 1965, or the Societies Act 1966, includes non-national language words, translation into the national language is not necessary," it said.