MCA President Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said that the clarification from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) does not mean a slap in the face for the MCA!
He recounted the situation at the time, saying that the President of the Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association, Datuk Hong Xi Di, remarked in his speech that city hall officials said they wanted to remove the Chinese characters for "Petaling Street", which made him very worried and he requested the MCA to help defend the Chinese characters.
“So in my speech, in response to Datuk Hong Xi Di's request, MCA unhesitatingly defended the Chinese characters. As long as it complies with the advertising laws where the national language is given prominence over Chinese characters, I think the Unity Government would not exclude the three characters for ‘Petaling Street’, especially since domestic and foreign tourists are already familiar with Petaling Street, why not continue?”
He said that at the press conference, Datuk Hong also confirmed that in June last year, city hall officials still wanted to remove the Chinese characters for "Petaling Street".
“Therefore, the city hall's clarification response is not a slap in MCA's face. MCA is merely defending the stance for Chinese characters.”
He also suggested that DAPSY National Secretary Lim Chun Yong directly contact Datuk Hong Xi Di, President of the Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association, for detailed information.