Najib should not be uncharitable at heart for questioning the sincerity of the apology by Ngeh Koo Ham

Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak should not be uncharitable at heart or even small-minded for questioning the sincerity of the apology by Perak DAP Chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham over his tweet on the derogatory and anti-Islam film that has attracted global condemnation. Yesterday, Ngeh had publicly apologised and retracted his tweet, explaining that there was never an intention to offend anyone, especially Muslims. At the same time, he has reiterated his condemnation of the film for belittling Islam in line with the DAP’s stand as stated in my statement on 16 September 2012.

If even an retraction and apology by Ngeh Koo Ham can be considered insincere by the Prime Minister, what about BN leaders who refused to apologise for their own racist and abusive remarks against Muslims and non-Malays. The fact is that Ngeh’s apology proves that PR leaders are much more gracious in admitting any mistakes, and is far better compared to BN leaders who never apologise despite making extremist and baseless lies such as:

  1. UMNO Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin maligning my innocent and under-aged son by spreading lies that he had sexually molested a non-existent female classmate. Despite such a shameless act that is clearly false, Khairy who calls himself a father has never apologised to my son. How can a person with such low morals as to bully an underaged boy considers himself fit to be a father to his two sons?

  2. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi blaming a lack of patriotism for the low percentage of non-Malay recruitment in the armed forces. If that was not enough, he even added that their low rate of participation could also be attributed to a “fear towards tight discipline”. Such a statement was grossly uncalled-for and denigrates the loyal service of thousands of non-Malay servicemen who have over the years risked and at times given their lives for the country.

  3. MCA President Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek attacking PAS candidate in the Tenang by-election Normala Sudirman for being anti-Chinese for not shaking hands with non-Malay men, when she chose not to shake hands with all men whether Muslim or non-Muslim. This is her personal choice just as some wishes to greet another with their palms together and has nothing to do with race.

By not offering any apology in all the above cases, and in many more, it is clear that the BN practices double-standards. It would appear that even when they do wrong, they can do no wrong. At least when PR leaders make mistakes, we apologise and try to improve ourselves.

At the same time, DAP also wishes to condemn the violent and racist demonstration by UMNO on Ngeh in front of the DAP Malacca headquarters, even though Ngeh had apologised. Clearly UMNO is intent on playing the dangerous games of using baseless lies to exploit racial and extremist sentiments to win votes at the coming general elections.

Lim Guan Eng DAP Secretary General & MP for Bagan