State executive council member Haim Hilman Abdullah said the foundation stone, which he took part in laying, also had inscriptions in Bahasa Melayu.

The PAS central committee member questioned why some quarters were afraid of the Chinese inscription, which merely translated to “foundation stone”.

Prinx Tire (M) Sdn Bhd, the local subsidiary of the Chinese tyremaker, is expected to invest a total of RM2.6 billion in the Kedah Rubber City project over a period of 15 years.

“These foreign investors (from China) bring in new technology, job opportunities and revenue for the people. As hosts, we respect their identity, the same way they respect our diverse languages and cultures.

“PAS and Perikatan Nasional are not rigid. We have never stood in the way of progress, nor have we restricted anyone’s rights to practise their faith or culture.

“We defend our national identity but, at the same time, we open the door to billions of investments for the sake of the people’s future,” he said in a Facebook post.

A similar situation arose last year when former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad criticised signboards of non-halal eateries in Kuala Lumpur with large Chinese characters and English translations, but nothing in Malay.

Mahathir had questioned if Malaysia had “become part of China”.

Netizens had criticised the political veteran, questioning why the signboards should be in Malay when these shops sold non-halal food and their target market was Chinese customers.