-The proposed Race Relations Act has been approved by the cabinet. The act will not only focus on punishment alone but also on helping build and strengthen race relations.
-The journalist Tan Boon Cheng from Sin Chew Daily who wrote the news article of Ahmad Ismail's statement that Chinese were "squatters" in the country , had been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for one day.
-Three newspapers- Sin Chew Daily, the Sun and Suara Keadilan received show-cause letters from Home Ministry because of reporting sensitive issues.
Justice?? Rest in peace
Tan reported Ahmad Ismail's statement based on what he said and did not exaggerate his statement. She was merely carrying her duty to report as it was. Meanwhile, the editorial board did not put the news article as front page story and used sensational headline for the article.
The arrest and issuing show-cause letters to news publication have been seen as an intimidation of journalists and the media industry.
On 3rd of September 2008, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi said the media must report the truth without fear.
The reality is the perpetrator free from law and shouted in the press conference to blame others. But the journalists and news publication become scapegoat. Report the truth without fear? Rest in peace.
Bukit Bendera UMNO division head Datuk Ahmad Ismail not only refused to apologise for his allegation, he is also pointing an accusing finger at the reporter from Sin Chew Daily for misreporting his comment, and Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon as well as other Chinese community leaders for turning his allegation into racial issue.
Ahmad said that he did mention Chinese were "squatters", but he was referring to the situation before the acquisition of national independence. He insisted that he did not do anything wrong as what he said was based on historical facts. Meanwhile, he accused the reporter from Sin Chew Daily for misreporting his speech. He said that the particular reporter possesses a personal agenda and she does not specialise in political news coverage. I am wondering why Ahmad did not come out immediately in the early stage to clear his name as he did not mean it. He held a press conference to explain his allegation only after 10 days the report was published. Meanwhile, the report did not sensationalise Ahmad's words. It only contains 144 words and it merely occupied 1.89% of the total layout of that page. In addition, it was published on page 8.
Moreover, since Ahmad said that he did not mean it, but why Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Tun Razak who was at the scene during the speech has offered an apology to the people a few days ago for Ahmad's allegation? Could it be said that Najib felt Ahmad's allegation did mean it therefore Najib apologised to those who have been hurt by Ahmad's words? It seems that the reporter was not the only one who "misunderstood" Ahmad's words.
On the other hand, Ahmad blamed Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon for using his "squatter" allegation to mount racial tension. Ahmad held a press conference yesterday to defend his position and urged Gerakan to leave the Barisan National ruling coalition for creating chaos among the component parties. He said Koh should apologise to the Malays, Muslims and Chinese in the country for mounting so much tension.
After Ahmad finishing his statement, his supporters tore a photo of Koh in the conference room. This action has angered Gerakan members. Chief of Wanita Gerakan Datuk Tan Lian Hoe urged Prime Minister to sack Ahmad from the party immediately and asked for Ahmad to be charged under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for threatening national security and playing up racial sentiments. Tan was quoted in a news report in Malaysiakini that "How would UMNO members nationwide react if a photo of their president was torn in that manner?"
This incident becomes chaos when other political party and media practitioner have been pulling into the dispute. Well, this is not the first time that politicians accuse the media for "misreporting" or "misinterpreting" their words, and it won't be the last as well. They often do that to divert people's attention and avoid to be responsible for their words.
I think even if Ahmad willing to apologise in the near future, but his apology already means nothing as people can see his arrogance at his press conference in television news.
I wish our politicians could stop playing outdated racial politics and focus on important national issues.
Due to the pressure and criticism from the Chinese community, an apology has been offered to the Chinese community by Deputy Prime Minister a.k.a UMNO deputy president Datuk Seri Tun Razak for the racist remark made by Bukit Bendera UMNO division head Datuk Ahmad Ismail.
But the incident does not end with the apology offered by Najib. Leaders of different Chinese political parties think that the apology should have come from the person who made the allegation. They said that Ahmad must face the people and ask for forgiveness himself. At the same time, they want UMNO or Barisan National takes disciplinary action against him and he should also be subjected to sedition charge.
Today, Ahamd told the media that he refused to apologise for his racist remark. He was quoted in a news report from The Star online that "Why should I apologise? I didn't do anything wrong. Those who do wrong should apologise but I haven't done anything." Although PM has already "advised" Ahmad not to repeat such remark, and DPM also apologised to the people on behalf of him, and there are five police reports lodged against him under the Sedition Act, but he still does not regret for what he has done. I wonder what makes him so "brave" to not admit his mistake.
Based on the current situation, the controversy will remain unresolved even if Ahmad willing to apologise. UMNO has to take disciplinary action against him, then only UMNO can rebuild its image and gains back people's support. At the same time, it can be a warning to deter other politicians from making racist remark in the future.
Ahmad responded to the media that he is not going to apologise as he didn't do anything wrong (Picture: Sin Chew Daily).
During a speech in Permatang Pauh by-election on 25th of August, Bukit Bendera Umno chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail said Chinese were "squatters" and "as the Chinese were only immigrants it was impossible to achieve equal rights amongst races". On 30th of August, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi said he will personally meet Ahmad and advise him not to repeat his racist remarks. Ahmad's allegation has angered the Chinese community. Leaders from different political parties request Ahmad to apology for his allegation. However, up till now he has not offered an apology to the Malaysian Chinese.
Apart from offering apology, MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Kiat said disciplinary action should be taken against Ahmad. Ong was quoted in a news report from The Star online that "Each component party should have an internal mechanism to take disciplinary action against any party member who makes racist remarks."
Meanwhile, another MCA vice-president Datuk Fong Chan Onn said the government should consider charging Ahmad with sedition.
Will UMNO president aka Prime Minister of Malaysia consider the suggestions of MCA vice-presidents? I wonder......
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was at the scene when Ahmad was making his racist remark. However, Najib did not say anything on the issue. Does it mean that Najib feels it is OK for Ahmad to make such remark? I am just wondering......
As the politicians in a multiracial country, they should beware of their words and actions to avoid racial tension and to maintain racial unity. Ahmad is not the first politician who has insulted other race.
I personally agree with Ong that disciplinary action should be taken against any party member who makes racist remark. An apology will not deter politicians from making racist remarks again as we can see the example mentioned above.
All politicians should bear in mind that it is difficult to build and maintain racial unity, but it is easy to destroy racial unity by irresponsible words or actions. The result of March 2008 general election shows that Malaysians are not interested in racial politic anymore. If those politicians still do not understand and accept the message from the people, and keep indulging in racial politic, their destinies again will be decided by the people in the next general election.
