(Kuching, 27th) Supporting the bilingual signage policy to promote the harmonious development of tourism and culture in Sarawak.
Eric Tay Tze Kok , Deputy Youth Chief of the Sarawak United Peoples' Party, expressed full agreement with Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim’s view. As long as the signage regulations are followed, bilingual, trilingual, or even quadrilingual signages can showcase the unique charm of Sarawak's diverse culture.
He stated that Sarawak is a state with diverse ethnicities and cultures. The use of Malay and English as the official languages not only ensures the wide dissemination of public information but also highlights Sarawak's respect for multicultural values through signages in multiple languages including Chinese and Tamil. This not only helps local businesses better serve a diverse clientele but also provides tourists with convenience and a sense of cultural identity.
Eric Tay Tze Kok noted that, as mentioned by the Minister, the development of the tourism industry does not depend on the language of signages but rather on local safety, the friendliness of the people, and attractive tourism products. Sarawak has an abundance of natural resources, cultural heritage, and modern facilities, which are key factors in attracting tourists.
More importantly, with technological advancements, tourists can easily overcome language barriers through mobile translation tools, further reducing the impact of signage language on them.
Therefore, people should not be overly sensitive about multilingual signage issues but should focus on enhancing the tourism experience, strengthening safety management, and launching innovative tourism activities and policies.
He mentioned that Sarawak's tourism performance in recent years has been exciting, with the tourism industry growing at an astonishing rate. The Minister has set a target of 5 million visitors by 2025, which presents significant challenges but also demonstrates Sarawak's competitiveness and potential in the international tourism market.
As a resident and member of the business community in Sarawak, Teo Chee Kok believes that the bilingual signage policy will not become a controversy but will further promote cultural harmony and economic prosperity in Sarawak. He called on everyone to unite and work together for a better future for Sarawak.
