BUTTERWORTH: It is the collective responsibility of all quarters to safeguard race relations in the country, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.
The Prime Minister said that everyone, including non-governmental organisations, government organisations, associations, the press corps and individuals had a role to play in keeping harmony in Malaysia.
“I hope it is understood that it is our collective responsibility to save the country from racial clashes and we must be careful in this matter,” he said after chairing the state Umno liaison committee meeting at the Tasek Gelugor Umno division building here yesterday.
Abdullah was commenting on Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail’s refusal to apologise over his controversial remark that the Chinese community were immigrants who did not deserve equal rights.
Ahmad came under fire from various parties, including Barisan Nasional component parties, for the remark made during a Permatang Pauh by-election ceramah in Kampung Pelet on Aug 23.
The Prime Minister noted that there had been ill feelings and displeasure among the people of various races recently as racial issues were raised in the midst of the furore.
“This should not have happened. Things that were sensitive and connected with religion and the social contract were brought up. This has caused tension and some have felt that their rights and sensitivity have been ignored.
“What happened is supposed to be a practice of freedom of speech and to voice opinions according to what is felt by the person who made the statement. But what was not supposed to happen has happened.
“What needs to be done (now) is to not raise (such racial issues) and turn them into some agenda which can cause uneasy feelings among all the races,” he said.
Abdullah urged Malaysians to remember that they were from a multi-racial country and issues regarding racial relationships would always arise, pre-Merdeka and post-Merdeka.
“We have been handling race relations issues effectively and this is an achievement. I want to point out to the blogs, SMSes and media that create nonsensical stories and to newspapers which publish reports which can cause anger among races that this (action) does not bring any good to anyone.”
He said no Malaysian wanted the country to be in chaos, pointing out: “No one will win, all will lose. It will cause the country to be in trouble.
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Abdullah said that freedom of the press should not be used as one liked or to sensationalise an issue.
“There must be a sensibility to not report sensitive matters that would lead to ill-will among the people in the country,” he said.
Abdullah said that Ahmad had explained his stand, stating that his remark was based on historical facts. “He had earlier stated that he was not a racist because as the Bukit Bendera Umno division chief, he had given his support to the non-Umno candidates who had sought election there. Ahmad is not pleased that what he has said has been misunderstood by a newspaper that reported it,” he said.
When contacted, Ahmad said the state Umno may sue the Chinese-language newspaper over the matter.
He said he would call for a press conference later.
Asked if he was happy with what Abdullah had said, he replied: “The PM was happy with my explanation to him. When my leader is happy, I’m happy.
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