`


THERE IS NO GOD EXCEPT ALLAH
read:
MALAYSIA Tanah Tumpah Darahku

LOVE MALAYSIA!!!


 


Wednesday, October 22, 2014

TELL UMNO! Suspension for ‘pendatang’ an example for other parties - Gerakan tries to deflect stooge claims

TELL UMNO! Suspension for ‘pendatang’ an example for other parties - Gerakan tries to deflect stooge claims
Gerakan today defended the suspension of Johor delegate Tan Lai Soon who said Malays were immigrants, saying the party had to set an example for other political parties to follow.
Party secretary-general Liang Teck Meng said they did not want leaders of other parties to make racist or extremist statements in the future.
"We have to show that we are a party of principles, hence we have to set an example for others to follow," Liang told a press conference at Menara PGRM in Cheras.
"Gerakan wants all of its members to have principles, and to remember the events of 2008," he said, referring to the case of Datuk Ahmad Ismail.
In 2008, Ahmad, then the Umno Bukit Bendera chief, caused an uproar over race-related statements he made in a ceramah (political address) in Permatang Pauh.
Ahmad had described Malaysian citizens of Chinese descent as "pendatang" (immigrants), which led to an immediate three-year suspension from Umno.
"Gerakan does not want political leaders of other parties to issue similar statements at their respective general assemblies or conferences.
"If that should happen, Gerakan will strongly urge the party leaders to take immediate action against these individuals," Liang said.
He said in order for this to be practised, Gerakan had to show that it would not hesitate to take action against its own members who crossed the line.
"Even in Parliament there are rules and regulations for MPs to follow, we are not allowed to make statements which are racist in nature or hurts the feelings of other races."
"Therefore, I appeal to all Gerakan members to be principled and understand the reasons for Tan's suspension by the central working committee."
Liang, the Simpang Renggam MP, stressed that none of the different races in Malaysia were "pendatang" nor should they be labeled as such.
"When Tan made his statement, it went against the party's principles and rules. Nobody is a 'pendatang' and that is the Gerakan stand."
He said he had received calls from Gerakan members dissatisfied over Tan's suspension, including messages on social media.
"I asked why was Tan being disciplined merely for expressing his opinion, but I pointed out that everything has a line.
"That is the reason why I have called today's press conference, to clarify questions from Gerakan members."
Liang said he was surprised that DAP stalwarts Lim Kit Siang and Teresa Kok had supported Tan's statement, expressing his anger.
"I cannot tolerate Lim and Kok's support of Tan's statement, it makes me feel very angry," Liang said.
On Sunday, Tan, when debating the president’s address, had said that with the exception of the Orang Asli and the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak, everyone else in Malaysia was immigrant.
He said Malays were not natives of Malaysia either as they had emigrated from Indonesia.
"Except for the natives of Sabah and Sarawak and the Orang Asli, everyone else in Malaysia is a pendatang," Tan said during the party's 43rd National Delegates Conference.
Tan said he wanted to explain the position of Malaysians in the country, as the original Bumiputeras were the Orang Asli and indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak.
"When Umno members say that the Chinese are pendatang, they obviously forgot that they were also pendatang from Indonesia," he had said. –TMI

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.