The controversial signboard that was replaced by City Hall.
KOTA KINABALU: The City Hall has removed a controversial signboard put up at the Central Market here, following harsh criticisms by netizens over the use of Bajau and Suluk language on the board.
Its director-general Joannes Solidau said the decision was made last Monday to replace the previous signboard which was put up two months ago.
The previous signboard, he said, was proposed by the Consumerism Task Force Committee chaired by the Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs, Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid.
“The rationale behind the inclusion of the two languages on the signboard is that, they are the languages of the main races that frequent or occupy the area (Central Market),” said Joannes.
The signboard was a warning against spitting, printed in five languages, namely Malay, English, Chinese, Bajau and Suluk, although some netizens mistook the language for Tagalog.
A local Facebook page named ‘Tulun Sabah’ which shared a picture of the signboard questioned the need to include the last two languages, captioning the picture, “Terang dan jelas Bandar KK dipenuhi warga asing polippine !! Seolah-olah DBKK merestui PTI !” (sic), which translates to, “KK city is obviously flooded with Filipino immigrants. It’s as if City Hall approves of the illegal immigrants.”
The photo, which had been widely shared by netizens sparked racial sentiments, with some concurring while some disagreeing with the remarks.