KUANTAN: Business premises in the state capital have been given an alternative on the directive to include jawi wording on their signboards.
Kuantan Municipal Council (MPK)'s public relations officer Norkamawati Kamal said jawi stickers are allowed for now, as some traders claimed it was too expensive to replace the existing signboards at their premises.
“MPK has decided to allow the use of jawi script stickers. However, this is only for the initial stage as we want (business) operators to adhere to the ruling.
“Furthermore, the use of stickers will not involve a huge cost. So instead of replacing the entire signboard, traders can put an additional sticker on their signboards.
"Once the stickers become worn out, the operators have to do the necessary, including replacing the signboards according to the required specifications or they might face fines for not displaying jawi wording.
“We hope within the next three to four years, all business premises in the state capital will have a standard signboard with the jawi script," she told reporters after an enforcement operation by MPK to check on business premises at the Tanah Putih industrial area, here, today.
Norkamawati said although business premises were allowed to use stickers, they have to comply with the sspecifications including ensuring the script was clearly visible, in the correct size and positioned on the top left corner of the signboard.
She said although the jawi script has to be the same size as the roman alphabets, there were some premises using smaller jawi script. Some also took to placing the jawi script at the bottom.
"Our enforcement officers will conduct checks and advice the business operators on the proper guidelines. The jawi wording only applies to the heading of the signboard that describes the type of business activity, for example restaurant or workshop has to be translated to jawi.
"We hope that the signage manufacturers will be aware of the required specifications and provide proper information to their customers when they receive orders to prepare the signboards. MPK is also prepared to assist business operators if they seek advice on the jawi wording," she said.
Norkamawati said about 70 per cent of the business premises here have complied while some were still in the midst of getting their orders completed.
"There should be no more excuses as we allow business operators to use an additional sticker as an alternative. We want traders to comply so it will become a new concept for Kuantan which is set to obtain city status this year," she said, adding MPK has issued 25 compounds amounting to RM6,250 to premises that failed to display the jawi wording on their signages since Jan 2.
In 2018, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who was then the Regent of Pahang was reported as saying that the jawi script writing system should be used widely on road signages, business premises, office signs, government agencies and all education offices in the state.
Those who fail to use jawi script on their signboards can be fined up to RM250 and their business licences revoked if they refuse to follow the directive.