MALAY NAMES ON NEW POSTAGE STAMPS

Mr David Marshall asked the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Government would consider supplementing the Latin name with the Malay name of the design on the new postage stamps in future reprints.

Dr Toh Chin Chye: Mr Speaker, it was decided to use the scientific names instead of the Malay names on the postage stamps for the following reasons: -

(a) The known Malayan names are regional in character and the fishes are known by different names in different parts of Malaya. For example, the fish which is depicted on the 25-cent stamp is known as sepat ronggeng in Penang and as sepat padi in Perak.

(b) Even in the same area fishes are sometimes known by more than one local Malay name. For example, the fish on the 6-cent stamp is known as Sumpit and Blibiran in Singapore.

(e) The same Malay name may sometimes be applied to different fishes. For example, the fish on the 20-cent stamp and the fish on the 6-cent stamp are both known as Sum pit.

(d) The fish on the 4-cent stamp has no known Malay name.

Until the Dewan Bahasa has standardised the nomenclature of flora and fauna, I believe the safest course in order to avoid controversy is to adopt their Latin scientific names, which are known by botanists and zoologists all over the world.

Mr David Marshall: Mr Speaker, these are Singapore stamps, not Penang nor Trengganu. The Government has not extended that far, Sir. In the light of that information, would the Deputy Prime Minister indicate whether he would consider utilising the Malay names where available of those fish which are current in Singapore?

Dr Toh Chin Chye: Sir, we know that some types of fish do exist in Singapore and some types do not exist in Singapore. As I have said just now, for example, the fish on the 4-cent stamp has no known Malay name, and if the Member for Anson so desires, I do not mind calling the fish on the 4-cent stamp as Ikan Marshall!