On May 26, Umno Vice President and Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid had said Chinese Malaysians who vote for the opposition DAP, after becoming economically successful, are “ingrates”.
According to the Home Minister, this is because they are abandoning Malays and Indians who contributed to their wealth.
While in the past BN leaders have criticized the Chinese voters as ingrates for not appreciating the contributions done by BN government, Zahid has this time gone further by saying that the Chinese are ingrates after having obtained the support of Indians and Malays.
His remarks are racially provocative, dangerous, totally unacceptable and have hurt the feelings of the Chinese community.
He must therefore retract his remarks and apologise to the Chinese community.
Two days ago, I have challenged Gerakan President Dato Mah Siew Keong to state his position on this issue.
I have said that if Mah truly disagrees with what Zahid has said, he should be brave to not only demand that Zahid retracts and apologise for his remarks, he should also ask the Prime Minister to ban Zahid from campaigning in Teluk Intan immediately till polling day.
Response from Gerakan leaders are most disappointing and pathetic, especially from Gerakan secretary-general Liang Teck Meng who claimed that Zahid’s remark was part of a bigger speech.
“I urge BN leaders to be careful with their speech, make sure that part of their conversations or speeches are not simply cut out of the whole speech and then spun and twisted,” Liang was quoted in the media.
Was Liang trying to suggest to Zahid to put the blame on the media?
Why can’t Gerakan leaders at least demand that Zahid retract his remarks and apologise to the Chinese community? Clearly Gerakan leaders are very frightened of Umno leaders.
But Gerakan leaders would be very brave with Dyana Sofya, calling her a liar on the Perkasa issue even though she had provided her explanations.
It is so obvious that Gerakan are very fierce with Dyana, but they are only a mouse with Umno leaders.
This is why Gerakan leaders and elected representative are useless and ineffective in Barisan Nasional government and are unable to champion the people’s interest.