Advisor Defends DBKL’s Enforcement Actions

Introduction to DBKL’s Enforcement Action

A member of the Kuala Lumpur advisory board has defended the recent signboard enforcement by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). He emphasized that it was free from any political influence.

Clarification of Claims About Political Influence

Andre Lai, the city advisor, responded to claims that the operation, which took place on November 21 across Kuala Lumpur’s parliamentary constituencies, was linked to former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s comments on Malay language usage on business signs. Lai also denied that the operation was aimed at Chinese businesses specifically.

Details of the Enforcement Procedure

Lai explained that DBKL conducts all enforcement actions following established procedures. He clarified that the operation was not influenced by political commentary or external pressures. The enforcement targeted businesses with non-compliant signboards, including those in languages such as Bangladeshi, Korean, and Arabic. The operation was not focused solely on Chinese-language signs.

Standard Enforcement Process

Lai pointed out that businesses had received a seven-day notice before the operation. Furthermore, DBKL will continue to share updates about their enforcement activities on social media regularly.

Criticism of Political Use of Language Issues

Lai strongly criticized the political use of language issues, calling it “irresponsible.” He stated, “Kuala Lumpur is a multicultural city where people of all ethnicities live together in harmony.” He urged the public to shift focus to more pressing matters, such as infrastructure development, instead of engaging in divisive debates over language.