Altimet bidas Ridhuan Tee persoal sepanduk Festival Hantu Lapar

Syed Ahmad Abdul Rahman Alhadad, also known as Altimet and an Adun PKR for Lembah Jaya, recently criticized Ridhuan Tee Abdullah for questioning the use of Chinese-language ghost paper during the Hunger Ghost Festival in Ampang. Altimet clarified that cultural differences should not be a cause for tension between communities. He explained that the Hunger Ghost Festival is part of Chinese culture, involving honoring ancestors, appreciating the contributions of previous generations, and making offerings to spirits believed to have no family or heirs to remember them.

Despite being literally translated as 'Hungry Ghost', the tradition also emphasizes piety, sincerity, kindness, and remembrance of the deceased. Ridhuan had previously questioned the presence of a Chinese-language flag and paper during a street intersection in Taman Kosas, Ampang, inquiring about its location, language status, and whether the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) was monitoring it.

Altimet emphasized that the language used in a ghost paper should be considered based on the context and purpose of communication, especially if it's intended for a specific community. He stated that if a ghost paper is specifically intended for a particular community, using their community's language is not unusual. However, he reminded that when a ghost paper or promotional material is displayed in a public space and subject to local authority regulations, it must adhere to the guidelines regarding the use of Bahasa Malaysia.

Altimet stated that using language in a ghost paper should be evaluated based on the context and purpose of the communication material. He added that if a ghost paper or promotional material is displayed in a public space, it must comply with local authority regulations and follow guidelines related to the use of Bahasa Malaysia.

In this case, he emphasized that we should not raise the issue to the point of creating inter-community tension. Syed Ahmad, who is also the PKR Ampang chief, said he would discuss the matter with MPAJ. Altimet clearly stated that Bahasa Malaysia, as the national language, must be respected, while at the same time, the right of every community to practice their customs, culture, and celebrations must also be respected. This is the spirit of Malaysia.