MALACCA: Datuk Seri Idris Haron is drawing flak over a slogan targeting littering and snatch thieves but the Chief Minister has scoffed at allegations that his campaign encourages gangsterism.
“It’s a creative way to combat litterbugs and snatch thieves, and there is no grammatical error,” he said of the slogan Don’t Mess With Melaka.
The slogan, emblazoned across T-shirts and billboards in the historical city, has been criticised by netizens and an opposition assemblyman as being crude and a tourist turn-off.
“Littering and snatch thefts are problems for the state and we decided to come up with a catchy phrase to remind people that the authorities here are serious about tackling them,” Idris said after the weekly state executive council meeting here yesterday.
Another example he cited was the case of Mat Rempits groping female participants of an international marathon event here on Sunday.
“We can’t address safety issues if the state doesn’t embark on an aggressive campaign,” he said, adding that the conventional way could no longer be applied as the majority of wrongdoers were those below the age of 25.
“We can’t go around using the same old phrase Jangan Buang Sampah (Don’t Litter) to capture the attention of our youths,” he said.
Insisting that the new catch phrase could help create litter-free streets and reduce the number of snatch thefts, he said: “We are intensifying our enforcement.
“Litterbugs will be issued compounds on the spot.”
He added that there would also be “an all-out war” against snatch thieves and illegal street racers.
“In a nutshell, the slogan targets those with ill-intentions and has nothing to do with inviting anyone for a fight,” said Idris.
Ayer Keroh assemblyman Khoo Poay Tiong argued that the slogan was grammatically wrong, saying it should read Don’t Mess Up Melaka.
He said Idris’ slogan sounded as if it was an invitation for a fight.
“I am raising the issue at the next state assembly sitting.
“The choice of phrase is insulting to visitors and is now much debated in social media,” added Khoo.
retrieved from: http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2014/06/12/cm-makes-stand-over-slogan-dont-mess-with-melaka-is-a-creative-way-to-combat-issues-says-idris/, 9:27, 9 July 2014
