9 Mei 2013
KUALA LUMPUR: DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang today called for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to apologise over their “irresponsible and unMalaysian” remarks.
“They must each apologise as their remarks have been completely at variance with the policies of 1Malaysia, if there is going to be national reconciliation.
“They have indulged in irresponsible race-baiting and inflammatory incitements, totally careless and reckless about the harm they are doing to race relations in the country,” said Lim at a press conference held at the DAP headquarters today.
Lim referred to Najib who, after the election results were made known, had mentioned about a “Chinese tsunami” and had his statement supported by Muhyiddin who said it was “unhealthy in a multi-racial society like Malaysia to allow one community supporting one side and another race supporting another as it would lead to tension in inter-racial relations and political instability.”
Lim however argued that the statements made were based on total fallacies, as the general election was not a battle between the Chinese versus the Malays, but one multi-racial coalition against another.
“Yes, the Barisan Nasional (BN) has lost significant Chinese voter support, but the Pakatan Rakyat is representative of all Malaysians,” he said.
Mahathir’s utter garbage
Lim added that Mahathir’s allegation that the Chinese have rejected the hand of friendship offered by the Malays is “utter garbage”.
“The Chinese, as well as other Malaysians have rejected the hand of friendship offered by Mahathir, Najib and Muhyiddin because they represent politics of the past, such as politics of race, corruption and cronyism.
“The Chinese and other Malaysians accepted the hand of friendship of Anwar Ibrahim and Abdul Hadi Awang because they represent the politics of the future,of integrity, justice and freedom,” said Lim.
He however praised former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who demanded a stop to all attempts at racialising the recently concluded election by blaming a particular community for BN’s poor showing.
“The most sensible, level-headed and statesmanlike statement, completely in conformity with the policies of 1Malaysia came from Tun Abdullah who said that blaming the Chinese is unfair and unhelpful,” Lim said.
Lim also said that former Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman, who was also his opponent for the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat, should be given a government post.
“Ghani was fielded in Gelang Patah by people in Umno who wanted to see the end of him.
“He has contributed to both Johor and Malaysia in terms of development and it is a shame that those who had him fielded in Gelang Patah had their way,” he said.
Lim maintained that :”It is only just and fair that Ghani should be appointed to an important post in the new government.
“I hope that the Prime Minister will ensure that this appointment will be made to Ghani as he will be able to contribute to the nation in the immediate future,” said Lim.
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