Gerakan asked to cease demanding action against Umno division chief

KOTA BARU: Kelantan Umno today asked fellow Barisan Nasional (BN) component party Gerakan to stop demanding that Umno and the BN penalise an Umno division chief over his alleged racially sensitive remarks about the Chinese community.

Its chairman, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, said the remarks by Bukit Bendera Umno Division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail were made in a personal capacity, similar to the statements by several Gerakan leaders who had wanted Gerakan to leave the BN.

“Gerakan has of late issued statements which threatened harmony in the BN but Umno leaders have been patient. But the moderation of Umno leaders, particularly Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, should not be taken advantage of,” he said in a statement.

Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye had yesterday asked Umno to take action against Ahmad, saying his remarks amounted to racial provocation and any sign of BN compromising with such leaders would send a wrong picture to the people. Similar sentiments were raised by Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan.

Annuar said this was not the appropriate time for any party in the BN to make such demands as it could aggravate the situation, adding that that it was preferable for component party leaders to reflect and improve themselves.

Bernama
01/09/08