KUALA LUMPUR: All parties, including politicians, need to stop disputing the enforcement actions taken by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) regarding business premises signboards.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), Dr Zaliha Mustafa, said Malaysia upholds the principles of the rule of law and the regulations enforced to ensure justice and harmony in society.

"All parties, regardless of background, need to comply with the relevant laws and regulations.

"DBKL, through the Advertisement By-Laws (Federal Territories) 1982, Local Government Act 1976, stipulates that the use of the national language must be prioritised on business premises signboards.

"Letters and words in the national language must be given priority and must be larger in size than letters or words in other languages," she said in a statement today.

She said that signboards also need to obtain visual confirmation from Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) first as a mandatory document to apply for DBKL approval.

"The enforcement action by DBKL is within my knowledge as the minister responsible for the Federal Territories.

"This decision is consistent with the approach taken since the issue of Jalan Silang as Mini Dhaka arose," she said.

Dr Zaliha said that throughout 2024, a total of 13 operations, 264 notices were issued, and 36 premises were acted upon regarding this signboard issue.

"Among the offences that were acted upon were the use of signboards that did not obtain a permit from DBKL or signboards that were displayed not in accordance with the approved permit.

"Notices were also given within a reasonable period to the premises owners to take action before enforcement was carried out.

"It should be emphasised that this enforcement is a routine task of DBKL that should have been carried out long ago," she said.

Dr Zaliha said that the enforcement was not carried out at the behest of any party or individual, but to ensure that the regulations in force are complied with.

"I urge all parties, including politicians, to stop this polemic. We have many important agendas to focus on, and playing with racial sentiments like this will only create polarisation that divides the people.

"As we approach the Asean Chairmanship 2025 and Visit Malaysia Year 2026, we need to collectively elevate the status of the national language as the image of the country. Kuala Lumpur, as the main gateway to the country, should reflect the national identity that prominently showcases our national language with clarity and pride," she said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/1141510/zaliha-business-signboards-must-prioritise-national-language