'Sack Ahmad and detain him under ISA'

Gerakan Wanita today issued a strong call for Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail to be sacked from his party for his spate of racist rants.

MCPX

The women's wing chief Tan Lian Hoe said Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should have Ahmad detained under the Internal Security Act for playing up racial issues.

She said that Ahmad's ongoing attacks against the Chinese community caused a threat to the national security and expressed fears that this could lead to racial riots as happened in May 13, 1969.

She also added that Gerakan members were disappointed and angry over actions of some Ahmad supporters yesterday in tearing a photo of Gerakan acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon at the Penang Umno headquarters.

"How would Umno members nationwide react if a photo of their president was torn in that manner," she asked.

She said this in a hastily-arranged press conference this morning at Gerakan headquarters.

Yesterday Ahmad continued his verbal assault against Koh by blaming him for playing up the issue, and calling for Barisan Nasional to kick Gerakan out of the ruling coalition.

Ahmad also issued a warning to the Chinese community against raising Malay issues.

In an immediate reaction, Abdullah had lashed out at Ahmad last night, summoning him for an urgent meeting today.

[Full report to follow]