'Chinese are only immigrants'

'Chinese are only immigrants'

Sept 2 - A COMMENT made by an Umno politician has sparked controversy. Bukit Bendera Umno chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail had allegedly called the Chinese 'pendatang' (immigrants).

He was also reported to have said that 'as the Chinese were only immigrants it was impossible to achieve equal rights amongst races' during a rally in Permatang Pauh in 25 Aug, reported the New Straits Times.

He had allegedly uttered the remarks in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

His comments drew angry reactions from Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Gerakan, Malaysian media reported.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has also been drawn in to the controversy.

He said he will personally see to it that Mr Ahmad does not repeat his remarks about the Chinese community.

MCA Youth said it wants an apology from Mr Ahmad.

Its secretary-general Dr Wee Ka Siong said the statement had angered the Chinese and other non-Malay communities.

Dr Wee said he has received many complaints from the Chinese community.

He said: 'I am saddened that he could make such a statement. It is a generalisation to assume that all Chinese don't treat their friends well. Accusing the whole community like this is uncalled for.'

Dr Wee said Mr Ahmad did not have to resort to racist statements just to get votes.

'It's insensitive to talk about other races like this. We want him to retract the statement and we will demand an apology from him,' said Dr Wee.

Gerakan has called for sterner action from Mr Abdullah, reported Bernama.

In a statement yesterday, Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye said: 'Many Malaysians are disappointed with the mild statement by Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when commenting on the seditious statement by Datuk Ahmad Ismail.

'They (Malaysians) had expected a strong rebuke, especially on Aug 31, a day all Malaysians celebrated the country's independence.' (see Reactions, right)

Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, in another statement, urged the Umno and BN leadership to review its stance against Mr Ahmad.

He called on the police to investigate the matter as the MCA and Gerakan Youth had lodged a police report against Mr Ahmad.

Two recent incidents also stirred controversy in Malaysia earlier this month.

One was a protest by mainly Malay groups against a Bar Council forum on conversion to Islam.

The other involved a government school teacher who used racial slurs on her pupils.

'The momentum of racism has increased with time and the perception of racial discrimination in the abuses in the implementation of the New Economic Policy,' said Dr Ramon Navaratnam, a member of the government's New Unity Advisory Panel told news website Malaysiakini.

'Some recent surveys also bear out this unfortunate negative trend,' he said.

Racial politics

Although, the BN coalition consists of several parties representing the main races, it is largely controlled by the Malay-led Umno, while the Chinese-based MCA and Indian MIC play smaller roles.

'Racial politics has helped to embed racism in our subconscious mind,' said political analyst Khoo Kay Peng, who believes awareness of racism more than racism per se is increasing.

'One hand cannot clap. Umno may have created communal politics in this country but its partners in the Barisan coalition have helped to perpetuate it by endorsing the kind of politics Umno is practising. So they too will have to shoulder the blame,' Mr Khoo added.

Malaysians have also become more vocal about the type of society they wish to live in, thanks to better education, the Internet and consequent globalisation, said Malaysiakini.

Mr Navaratnam agreed.

'What has changed the scene is the Internet that has exposed to the world abuses of the rich over the poor across the globe and in our own country. People are smarter, more mature and more questioning. The trends for change will continue with greater steam,' he said.

- The Electric New Paper