Leiking slams move to punish ‘disrespect’ of BM, urges focus on economic issues

By admin-s On Jun 23, 2022

The government should prioritise resolving more pressing issues instead of dishing out punitive measures over the supposed disrespect of the national language, said Warisan deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking.

(The Vibes) – He said the country is currently facing a huge national debt, stagnated development and rising costs of living, so proposed laws on the national language will not resolve such issues.

“What amounts to being disrespectful and who will enforce this so-called law? The use of other languages does not destroy ethnicity or belonging. In fact, other languages can co-exist with Bahasa Malaysia.

“The world is so connected today and English will remain a global communication tool. No one should be ashamed of conversing in English nor does it diminish other languages.”

He said this in response to Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka’s (DBP) board of governors’ chairman Datuk Seri Awang Sariyan, who proposed a fine of up to RM50,000 or jail time after the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Act 1959 is amended.