Media Statement by Lim Kit Siang in Petaling Jaya on Thursday, 4^th February 2010: 

Don’t use ISA against Nasir Safar – more important to flush out all the closet Nasir Safar holding influential positions in government

Recently, the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein warned that there are forces bent on derailing the government’s 1Malaysia concept.

Hishammuddin was referring to the recent spate of arson and vandalism at places of worship but he failed to realize that the enemies of Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia concept are to found closer home – in the very sanctum of the Najib premiership!

MIC leaders, from its President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, are baying for Nasir’s blood and even demanding that Nasir should be detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

This is the last thing that should be done, for it will only make Nasir a martyr. Furthermore, the ISA detention-without-trial law is so iniquitous, unjust and undemocratic a legislation that I will not want to wish it on my worst opponents as its only proper destination is the scrapyard.

The strongest and most severe action must be taken against Nasir for his offensive, seditious and anti-1Malaysia outburst, labelling Indians and Chinese as “pendatang”, alleging that “Indians came to Malaysia as beggars and Chinese especially the women came to sell their bodies (jual tubuh)” and threatening to revoke the citizenship of Indians vocal about the subject cap for SPM examination.

There must be a clear and unmistakable message that 52-years after nationhood, such rabid and racist attitudes are just not acceptable or tolerable, especially under the 1Malaysia slogan. In this context, the resignation of Nasir is just neither adequate nor commensurate to the offence caused and Malaysians are right to expect the severest action to be meted out.

However, it is more important to flush out all the closet Nasir Safars holding influential positions in government as the Nasir Safar outrage is likely to be mere tip of an iceberg.

This is why Nasir’s racist remarks received quick defence from extremist groups including the 1Malaysia Youth Graduates Club.

Nasir Safar is the natural product of decades of brain-washing by anti-1Malaysia outfits like the Biro Tata Negara (BTN) and unless brain-washing apparatus like BTN are dismantled, closet Nasir Safars will continue to occupy key positions in important ministries and agencies.

*Lim Kit Siang, DAP Parliamentary Leader & MP for Ipoh Timor