Press Statement by Charles Santiago in Klang on
Monday, 1st September 2008:
Abdullah fails test as the Prime
Minister of all Malaysians
Yet again an UMNO politician utters a
racist remark and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi rushes to his
rescue. Abdullah said he would personally see to it that Bukit Bendera
UMNO chief Ahmad Ismail would not repeat his remarks about the Chinese
community being squatters and immigrants.
According to the embattled premier, Ahmad would not have meant it. While
Abdullah became Ahmad's public relations officer, the UMNO division head
has simply been left off the hook.
It is obvious that UMNO and Abdullah have not learnt the lessons of
March 8th and the recent by-elections in Permatung Pauh: that Malaysians
of all races are rejecting race based politics. This clearly
demonstrates that UMNO is out of step with the people of the country.
But the Prime Minister's reaction to Ahmad's remarks clearly shows his
weak position within UMNO. Abdullah is holding on to his dwindling power
while UMNO leaders call for his resignation, squarely blaming him for
the ruling coalition's poor performance at the general elections.
As the UMNO president, Abdullah is not able to severely reprimand Ahmad
as he fears a further backlash from party members during the upcoming
UMNO division elections. The premier wants to keep his job at whatever
cost and at the expanse of further alienating the people.
Abdullah public relations effort on behalf of Ahmad makes a mockery on
his call - for racial unity and a bright future of all of its citizens
without discrimination against race, religion and economic background -
in his Merdeka statement two days ago.
Although the government had put up a show of solidarity complete with
color and glitter, Sunday's Merdeka Day celebrations marks a nation at
crossroads and marred by racism.
In this regard, any amount of re-branding of junior Barisan Nasional
partners - MCA, MIC or Gerakan - is not going to help if big brother
UMNO does not reform and treat all Malaysian as equal partners in the
country consistent with the concept of Bangsa Malaysia. In fact, these
parties should consider leaving the Barisan Nasional.
If Abdullah is sincere about promoting racial unity in the country he
must take strict disciplinary action against Ahmad. Whether or not
Abdullah is able to do that would candidly reflect the premier's
commitment, if any, to nation building and being the Prime Minister of
all Malaysians.
* Charles Santiago, MP for Klang
http://dapmalaysia.org