MIC, DAP claim BTN undermines 1 Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 — MIC and DAP leaders agreed today that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia was being undermined by his own men in the government’s controversial National Civics Bureau (BTN).

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang also went a step further to accuse Najib’s deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin of backing the BTN in an open revolt to ruin the prime minister’s brainchild 1 Malaysia.

The veteran leader claimed that was because Muhyiddin was one of the biggest champions of the government’s “racist” BTN, saying that this was also one of the main reasons why he had failed to act on the racist principals.

“In the Cabinet in the past 18 months, Muhyiddin had stood out as the champion of the anti-national and anti-1 Malaysia poison spouted by the BTN.

“Is this the reason why Muhyiddin had been thunderously silent in not condemning the two school principals for their incendiary, racist and insensitive statements, telling Chinese students to go back to China and likening Hindu prayer bracelets to a dog leash, because such offensive remarks were quite in line with the poison which BTN had been dishing out to civil servants in the past two decades?” he asked in a statement today.

Lim also slammed the proclamation by BTN deputy director Hamim Husin to a Puteri Umno closed-door function today that Malay rights is a mandate to rule the country, claiming that this showed Najib’s 1 Malaysia was being hampered by enemies from within his own camp.

“The proclamation is the latest proof that the biggest enemy to Najib’s 1 Malaysia is from within his own camp, not only Umno but also BTN in the government.

“When the BTN can continue its offensive, insensitive and racist ‘brain washing’ not only among civil servants but extend it to political activists in Umno circles like Umno Puteri, it is clear that Najib is facing an open revolt, which clearly has the backing of Muhyiddin,” he said.

In his speech to Umno Puteri today, Hamim had proclaimed that the rights of the Malays was to rule the country, urging the community to unite to defend their rights.

“The rights of Malays is to rule the country. Simple. Malays must unite in the face of threats,” he had said.

Later, when acknowledging that the Malays could not rule the country without the co-operation of the non-Malays, Hamim also made derogatory references to the Chinese and the Indian communities.

“Malays cannot rule the country by themselves. That’s why we make friends with the MCA and MIC.

“The ‘si mata sepet’ that has never gone to a mosque or surau only has one vote. The ‘si botol’ that only knows how to go up to Batu Caves up and down only has one vote,” said Hamim.

Dr Subramaniam wants the government to act against the BTN deputy director. — File pic
MIC vice-president Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam joined Lim in condemning Hamim’s derogatory remarks and called for an investigation into the issue.

He also raised concerns that such remarks could be interpreted as reflecting the views of the Najib administration, which in turn would reflect badly on Najib’s all-inclusive 1 Malaysia concept.

“I refer to the article in a news portal which quoted the National Civics Bureau (BTN) deputy director as uttering derogatory remarks against non-Malays at a closed-door meeting of Puteri Umno delegates today.

“I wish to state here that the BTN is a government agency under the Prime Minister’s Department. If an officer from this agency is found to have passed such remarks, it can be construed as reflecting the views of the government.

“It will also reflect badly on the government and have adverse effects on the 1 Malaysia concept,” he said in a statement today.

The human resources minister urged BTN director-general Datuk Shagul Hamid Abdullah to investigate the matter and take further action.

Lim also urged the Cabinet to take action against the BTN by closing it down entirely and to take a clear stand on the incidents involving the racist principals.

“Will the scandal of the 46-day inaction by the Najib administration be top on the agenda of Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting or will the ministers be like the traditional three monkeys with eyes that see not, ears that hear not and mouths that speak not?” he asked.

28/09/10

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