Why did DAPSY paste Chinese stickers on Kuching road signs?

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DAPSY Pasted Chinese Stickers on Kuching Road Signs to Cater to Chinese Tourists

The Sarawak DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) placed Chinese stickers on several road signs in Kuching with the stated purpose of accommodating tourists from China. This action was led by former Stampin Member of Parliament Julian Tan, and the group claimed the translations were necessary for Chinese-speaking visitors. The incident, however, drew criticism for its insensitivity to Sarawak's multicultural society and for potentially violating national language laws.
Stated Rationale for Translation

DAPSY members explicitly stated that their motivation for applying the Chinese stickers was to address the needs of tourists from China. They believed that existing road signage lacked sufficient translation for this demographic, and their action aimed to bridge this communication gap. This initiative was reportedly spearheaded by Julian Tan, a former MP for Stampin.
Criticism Regarding Insensitivity and Legality

The act was met with strong disapproval from state officials. Datuk Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department, described the action as insensitive to Sarawak's pluralistic society and a potential violation of the Federal Constitution and the National Language Act 1963. He also indicated that the group had not obtained prior permission from the Kuching North City Hall (DBKU), labelling the act as vandalism and a breach of DBKU regulations.
Concerns Over Exploiting Language Issues

Beyond the immediate legal and sensitivity concerns, the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth deputy chief, Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, viewed DAPSY's action as a deliberate attempt to exploit language issues for political gain. He suggested this could create inter-racial tensions, a sentiment that he argued is contrary to Sarawak's values of unity and appreciation for diversity. The incident quickly gained traction on social media, eliciting a range of reactions from the public.

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Why did DAPSY paste Chinese stickers on Kuching road signs?

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