Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) expressed regret over Umno Deputy President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's apology on behalf of Bukit Bendera Umno division chief, Datuk Ahmad Ismail, for the alleged racist remarks he made during the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign last month.
The party said as the Deputy Chairman of Barisan Nasional (BN), Najib should have taken strong action against Ahmad instead of apologising.
"We wish to remind Najib that even the Cabinet rejected the apologies of the father of Negaraku-ku rap song's singer Wee Meng Chee," said SAPP deputy Information Chief Chong Pit Fah in a statement, Wednesday.
Previously, ex-MIC Sec-Gen Dato' S Sothinathan was suspended as a Deputy Minister for three months over his remarks during the parliamentary debate on the Crimea State Medical University (CSMU).
He said such failure inevitably revealed BN's blatant hypocrisy, especially in dealing with the conduct of members.
"Ahmad should have been immediately issued with a show cause for making such racist remarks, nor should he (Najib) apologise to all Malaysians," he said.
Ahmad had allegedly said the Chinese are "menumpang" or passengers and hence it was impossible for them to achieve equal rights amongst races.
Meanwhile, Sabah DAP lodged a report against Ahmad over the remarks.
Sabah DAP Culture, Youth and Sports Bureau chief, Teddy Yang, also demanded that Ahmad be the one to apologise instead of Najib.
Accompanying Yang who lodged a report at the Karamunsing police station here were Medical and Health Bureau chief Dr Jeffery Wong, DAP Karambunai Branch Chairman Chong Hui Kok and Api-Api Branch representative John Lee on Wednesday.
Yang was also upset that no action has been taken against Ahmad for his "controversial racist remarks".
"His speech does not give any respect to other races in this country. It is an extremist thought and this action will surely split and segregate the races in our country.
Wong said Ahmad was not qualified to be a leader based on his action and insisted that immediate action be taken.
"The person who made the mistake should take responsibility instead (of him) being protected," he said.
DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
Sabah
05/09/08
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