DAP calls on Kelantan and Terengganu PAS
governments to accord official recognition to International Mother Language
Day on Feb. 21
Media Statement
by Lim Kit Siang
(Penang,
Tuesday): I
had yesterday emailed to the Mentri-Menteri Besar of the two PAS state
governments of Kelantan and Terengganu to ask them to accord official
recognition to the fourth International Mother Language Day which falls on
February 21 on Friday.
I hope the Kelantan Mentri Besar, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and the
Terengganu Mentri Besar, Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang could provide the leadership
in the two states to accord recognition to the fourth International Mother
Language Day on Friday.
If the Kelantan and Terengganu state governments can be ahead of all state
governments, or even the Federal government, to accord official recognition
to the International Mother Language Day, it would put all the other
governments - particularly the Penang State Government - to shame.
Apart from the Kelantan and Terengganu State governments, I had yesterday
also emailed to all the Chief Ministers and Mentri-Mentri Besar of the other
state governments to ask them to accord recognition to the International
Mother Language Day in view of Malaysia's unique and distinctive identity as
an example of linguistic diversity to the world.
I would expect the Penang State Government to take the lead and be ahead of
all state governments to accord recognition to the International Mother
Language Day. Among the other state governments which I would expect a
favourable and positive response include Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan,
Malacca, Johore, Sabah and Sarawak.
I emailed the Chief Ministers/Mentri-Mentri Besar of all the other state
governments after I had dispatched my urgent email yesterday to the Prime
Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, all Cabinet Ministers, Penang
Chief Minister, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon and all Penang State Executive
Councillors asking them to decide tomorrow at their respective Cabinet and
Penang State Exco meeting to accord official recognition to the fourth
International Mother Language Day on Friday, February 21.
I would urge the MCA and Gerakan State Exco members in the various state
governments to play their role to secure their respective state government
recognition of the International Mother Language Day this week.
(18/2/2003)
*
Lim Kit Siang, DAP National
Chairman
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http://dapmalaysia.org