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The government should explain why the Malay language version of the yellow OIC buntings use the misleading words “Sidang Kemuncak Persidangan Ketua-Ketua Negara Islam”   Press Statement by John Chung (Petaling Jaya, Wednesday): I wish to draw attention to the yellow Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) buntings that have been displayed in major roads and expressways marking the nation’s hosting of the 10th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference.  There are four different language versions of the OIC bunting, namely English, Malay and what I believe are Arabic and French. The English language version of the bunting contains the words “10th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference” whereas the Malay language version uses the words “Sidang Kemuncak Persidangan Ketua-Ketua Negara Islam”, which do not square with the English equivalent.   The Malay language version of the OIC bunting is misleading as the proper description should be “Sidang Kemuncak Ke-10 Pertubuhan Persidangan Islam (OIC) or “10th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference”, which are the official description for the international event.   The Malay language media’s usage of different descriptions for the name OIC also causes confusion. For instance, Bernama and Berita Harian online use “Pertubuhan Persidangan Negara-Negara Islam” and “Pertubuhan Negara-Negara Islam” together with “Pertubuhan Persidangan Islam”. Considering that the correct Malay language equivalent for OIC should be Pertubuhan Persidangan Islam, such inaccurate descriptions should be corrected.   What is at issue, however, is the Malay language version of the yellow OIC bunting as it can create the misleading impression that the current OIC Summit is a gathering of heads of Islamic States when it is clear that the OIC is not an organization of Islamic States as the overwhelming majority of the 57 member nations in OIC are secular and not Islamic States.   Hence, the government should explain the reason for such a discrepancy and whether there is an implicit and hidden agenda to subtly convey the message that Malaysia’s hosting of the OIC Summit is proof that the country is an Islamic State and in particular to counter PAS’ aim of turning Malaysia into an Islamic State.   (15/10/2003) * John Chung, DAP National Publicity Bureau Assistant Secretary