MCA slams Umno leader's 'Chinese squatter' remark

MCA Youth today slammed Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail for allegedly making racist remarks against the minority community during the recent Permatang Pauh by-election campaign.

Ahmad, the Bukit Bendera Umno division head, had allegedly said Chinese were "squatters" in the country, who were both selfish and unjust, at a ceramah on Aug 24 whilst trying to buttress support for BN candidate Arif Shah Omar Shah in the by-election contest against opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim.

“Since independence, Malaysians have worked hard to stay together as one to build the country. But now, just days ahead of Merdeka celebrations, such comments are being made. We are very disappointed,” MCA Youth leader Hang Cheng Peng told reporters.

He demanded an immediate apology and explanation from Ahmad.

MCA Youth has submitted a letter yesterday demanding an open apology, retraction and a promise not to make similar statements in the future.

Meanwhile, Federal Territories MCA Youth today launched a signature campaign outside the MCA headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to condemn Ahmad, demanding that he be sacked from his party.

With two hours, the campaign attracted more than 200 signatures including those of Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong, former deputy home affairs minister Tan Chai Ho and former PJ Utara MP Chew Mei Fun.

A group of MCA Youth members who had gathered to support the campaign also chanted several slogans such as “Malaysia Boleh” and “Orang Cina rakyat Malaysia.”

Narrow-minded extremists

Hang, director of the campaign as well as FT MCA Youth chief, said Ahmad’s comments had angered the Chinese community. He also said more signatures would be collected over the next two days before the petition is submitted to the Umno supreme council.

Speaking to Malaysiakini after inking his signature, Tan attributed Ahmad’s comments to extremism and narrow mindedness.

“Some, not all, people are very extreme and narrow minded. Instead of forging stronger relationships, they are splitting unity. I hope this is the last time we hear such things,” the former deputy home affairs minister said.

Wee later told a press conference that Ahmad’s “generalising and racist” comments had caused feelings of unease and anger.

“This has not only affected Barisan Nasional’s image, but it has also caused animosity towards the government,” he said.

Wee also warned that MCA Youth would “fight until the end” against any party which makes irresponsible statements in the future, including against other ethnic groups.

Ahmad challenged to debate

In a strongly worded press statement issued today, Penang Gerakan Youth exco member Dr Thor Teong Gee urged BN deputy chairperson and Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to take action.

Thor said Najib, who was in charge of BN’s campaign in Permatang Pauh, must clarify if Umno shared Ahmad’s sentiments.

He also challenged Ahmad to a debate on whether the Chinese were truly squatters and also on matters of equality if the latter refused to retract his words.

In a separate press statement, another Penang Gerakan Youth leader Khaw Veon Szu said Ahmad’s actions proved that certain BN leaders had not learnt from the coalition’s electoral setbacks during the March 8 general election.

“They have shown no remorse and are unwilling to change their bad traits,” Khaw said, adding that any attempts to win back support for BN would be futile until this was addressed.

Leaders from opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat too condemned Ahmad.

Tanjung DAP division deputy chief Ng Wei Aik said Ahmad’s statement bordered on calling the Chinese community “parasites.”

“Despite the Merdeka celebration being themed ‘Unity, the core of success’, Ahmad’s statement does not do anything to foster unity but instead weaken it,” Ng said in a statement.

He threatened to lodge a police report against Ahmad for stoking racial hatred if the latter did not apologise.