Hishammuddin Tun Hussein's apology over the ‘keris issue’ will not derogate dignity of the Malays because keris is a mere symbol, Najib Tun Razak said today.

najib tun razak pc 261004 The dignity of the Malays would only remain redeemed if they were successful in strategic fields to continue to compete with other races, said the deputy prime minister who is also Umno deputy president in a Bernama report.

"I hope the issue will not crop up again. Datuk Seri Hishammuddin has done a very solicitious and noble act, meaning he is ready to seek apology though some people say it was not his intention to declare war or has a conviction in any racist move," he told reporters in Pekan, Pahang.

He was commenting on the Umno Youth head's apology for drawing and kissing a keris at the last Umno Youth assembly which was said to be among the factors to Barisan Nasional's dismal performance in last month's general election.

Najib said: "Keris is a weapon in the context of our culture, not more than that. But because there are people playing up the issue, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin's move, I hope, will be accepted as something positive, sincere and noble so that the issue will not crop up again."

hishamuddin hussein with keris 050805 "The dignity of the Malays has nothing to do with keris. The dignity of the Malays will be redeemed if the Malays succeed in various fields - politics, mastery of knowledge, economy and social.

"Everything must point to the Malays' development being at the level of excellence; we can compete not only at home but also internationally. At that time, the Malays will been seen as a successful race.

"So, the keris is a mere symbol and not linked to excellence. Excellence in the real world depends on our success in strategic fields," he said.

'He is a gentleman'

In Ipoh, MIC Samy Vellu described Hishammuddin’s open apology to all Malaysians if the keris issue had nudged their sentiments, as gentlemanly and befitting a good young leader.

samy vellu pc 120308 prejudice It was also in line with the principle put forward by famous author Dale Carnegie in one of his well-known books, "How to Win Friends and Influence People", he said.

"He is a gentleman, a good young leader. He follows the principle of Dane Carnegie who said that 'if you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically' but I must say Datuk Seri Hishammuddin is an effective and very good leader.

"Without him, I don't think today we would have built 41 Tamil schools in one go. This was the money that he gave when I was Minister for Works," he told reporters.

Samy Vellu said all parties should now respect the appeal for apology and not to raise the issue again.

"When somebody say I am sorry we should just keep quiet after that, we should not talk anything further. If we talk further, we don't respect the apology," he said.