GEORGE TOWN – The Malaysia-China Friendship Association has described a restaurant owner as ignorant for putting up Mao Zedong-themed decor at two of his outlets in Penang.
Association committee member Datuk G.P. Doraisamy said the restaurant owner has failed to understand the sentiments in this country.
“In this case, the cafe owner has blatantly disregarded the sentiments and feelings of multi-ethnicity of this country. Maoist communist ideologies and idiosyncrasies are prohibited here as the people of this nation lost their lives fighting communism.
“However, Malaysia has a friendly bilateral relationship with China, since the late prime minister Tun Abdul Razak visited the country after it lifted its closed-door policies in the mid-1970s.
“Foreigners could freely enter the country for social, business, economic, educational, and cultural exchange programmes.”
Doraisamy, who is a lawyer, called for closer scrutiny of the movements and activities of foreigners in this country.
“Malaysia is a sovereign nation, and all foreigners must adhere and abide to the local laws and enactments as well as sentiments in the strictest sense.
“Being a duly elected democratic government, Malaysian authorities are closely monitoring the movements and ideologies of foreign social visitors, the migrant labour force, locals who marry foreigners, and business ventures and partnerships to safeguard our sovereignty.”
Doraisamy, who is also secretary-general of the Malaysian chapter of the World Humanitarian Drive, said Malayan Communist Party head Chin Peng was regarded as a great threat to the nation.
On Saturday, the media reported that the restaurant operator, who is Malaysian, is under investigation for having in his two outlets – one in Pulau Tikus on the island, and the other in Juru on the mainland – displayed communist-themed wallpaper and cups.
Police believe that his wife, a Chinese national, was responsible for putting up the décor – The Vibes, January 6, 2021