Lack of Mandarin proficiency no obstacle, says PKR’s Thonny Chee

Lack of Mandarin proficiency no obstacle, says PKR’s Thonny Chee

The candidate for Api-Api hits back at claims he struggles to communicate with the constituency’s Chinese community.

Thonny Chee said he understands the meaning of words spoken in Mandarin but does not dare to respond in the language for fear of being misunderstood. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA:
Thonny Chee, PKR’s candidate for Api-Api in the Sabah election, has hit back at claims he struggles to communicate with the Chinese community due to a lack of Mandarin proficiency, being only fluent in Malay and English.

Chee said language should not be an obstacle to serving the community as residents there are also fluent in Malay and English.

“I know the Chinese community in Api-Api is fluent in both Malay and English. Those trying to play up this issue are not being smart. I see no issue at all,” Bernama reported him as saying in Api-Api today.

Chee said he understands the meaning of words spoken in Mandarin but does not dare to respond in the language for fear of being misunderstood.

“Mandarin has many different intonations. Sometimes the pronunciation is the same but a slight change in tone can alter the meaning.

“So instead of ‘hanging myself’ by speaking Mandarin, it’s better for me to speak in Malay or English, which the people also understand.

“At the same time, I am also learning and improving my Mandarin with my teacher here,” he said, referring to PKR vice-president Chang Lih Kang, who was with him.

Chee is running in Api-Api against Ng Chun Sua (PIS), Ting Shu Kiong (STAR), Soh Kee Suat @ So Chee Say (PBK) and Loi Kok Liang (Warisan).

The Election Commission has set Nov 29 as polling day, while Nov 25 is for early voting.

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