The Return of Ahmad Ismail 9 November 2008

When I read this the Star report, I couldn’t believe my eyes:

Warrior’s welcome for Ahmad Ismail of ‘pendatang’ infamy

GEORGE TOWN: Suspended Bukit Bendera Umno chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail was given a warrior’s welcome, complete with presentation of regalia such as a keris (traditional Malay sword), when he turned up for the division’s delegates conference.

…

Upon entering, Ahmad was adorned with a yellow tengkolok (headdress) by division adviser Azmi Merican, a yellow selempang (scarf) by Umno veteran Saakyah Mat Isa, and presented with a keris by Umno veteran Abdul Rahman Lazim.

Ahmad raised the keris briefly to his lips in reverence, then lifted it high before proceeding on stage, while the emcee ammounced that all three traditional items were presented to Ahmad as a true pahlawan Melayu (Malay warrior) of Bukit Bendera.

So now, Ahmad Ismail is a pahlawan?

For saying what he said? For refusing to apologize? For defying the prime minister and his deputy? For prompting his konco-konco to tear a harmless picture?

Seriously, if doing all the above qualifies you to be a Malay warrior, then I am simply speechless.

No ISA, not even for low class politicians! 9 September 2008

From the Star:

Wanita Gerakan urges PM to sack Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita Gerakan has urged Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to sack Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail from the party immediately.

The party wing also asked for Ahmad to be charged under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for playing up racial sentiments and threatening national security, said chief Datuk Tan Lian Hoe.

She condemned the action of Ahmad’s supporters who tore up the photo of Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, saying it brought shame to Ahmad and the Barisan Nasional.

“It is rude for not respecting Barisan leaders. We regret his action and we are very upset with his irresponsible, shameful and overboard action,” she said.

A futile call, if you ask me. I have a sneaky suspicion that UMNO leaders are immune from the ISA.

Regardless, I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Malik Imtiar in his blog: Mr. Ahmad Ismail should NOT be held under the ISA.

Arrest Mr. Ahmad. Charge him with the relevant laws. Put him away in prison. Do whatever the law allows the authorities to do. Just do not use the ISA.

As much as I am disgusted at the actions of Mr. Ahmad and his Penang UMNO cohorts, we must be consistent in our principles.

ISA is an obsolete, draconian law that has no place in Malaysia. ISA should be abolished. No Malaysian should ever be detained without trial, regardless of whether they are alleged terrorists, racists, members of illegal organizations or public enemy number one. Every person has a right to a fair trial.

No ISA for Ahmad Ismail.

Low Class Politicians 8 September 2008

When I read this, it sent chills down my spine.

From Malaysiakini:

Don’t be like American Jews, Chinese told

Penang Umno leader Ahmad Ismail, the man at the centre of the ‘racial slur’ controversy, warned Chinese Malaysians not to mimic American Jews who not only seek to control the country’s economy but also its political power.

MCPX

In an explosive 50-minute press conference, Ahmad who claimed time and again that he was not a racist, vowed that he would not apologise for his remarks which sparked the controversy.

“While it is not difficult to say sorry – for the sake of my Malay dignity, I resolve not to apologise no matter what others may say. I am willing to take the risk (for not doing so),” he said in a 14-page statement.

The press conference, which was held at the Penang Umno headquarters this afternoon, ended with shouts of ‘Hidup Melayu’ from about 50 local party leaders who were there.

Soon after the event, former Penang Umno committee member Zainol Abidin Hashim, with the help from his colleagues pulled down the photo of Gerakan acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon which adorned one of the walls in the party headquarters.

Koh’s picture frame, which sat next to the photos of the Penang governor and his wife, was subsequently smashed.

As the glass broke into pieces, Zainol removed Koh’s photo from the frame and tore it into half.

Koh, who is former Penang chief minister, has been trading barbs with Ahmad, the Bukit Bendera Umno division chief, over the issue.

In a hastily-organised press conference at 10.30pm, Koh announced that Penang Gerakan had decided to cut all ties with its counterpart effective immediately.

He said that he was disappointed in the “rude behaviour” of Umno leaders at their press conference.

Earlier, Ahmad told the minority Chinese not to go overboard in hurting the feelings of the Malays and Muslims.

“I want them to know, I want them to take this as a warning from the Malays. Malays and Muslims have been provoked many times. We have been patient because we want to maintain stability in the country,” he said.

“Remember! The patience of Malays and Muslims has its limits. Do not push us to the wall, where we will be forced to reject the Chinese for the sake of our survival.

“If what I say sounds too strong for BN, take this as a warning from the Malays and Muslims as this has nothing to do with Umno. Do not pressure Umno leaders until they are caught in a dilemma.”

He then sounded a dire warning to Koh and Gerakan.

“I want Koh Tsu Koon and Gerakan to take responsibility for whatever untoward incidents that could happen in this country of ours.”

Ahmad also called upon BN leaders to “kick Gerakan out” from the ruling coalition.

The Bukit Bendera Umno chief said that he was asked by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to hold “another press conference”.

Ahmad previously held a press conference last Friday in which he reiterated that he would not apologise for his remarks.

Abdullah (photo, right), who had earlier told the powerful local Umno leader to do so, was silent on the issue the next day when he met with Penang Umno leaders, including Ahmad.

Ahmad, who was backed by all 13 Umno divisions in Penang – Abdullah’s home state – thanked the prime minister for his “understanding”.

The controversy erupted after Ahmad had allegedly said that the “Chinese were immigrants squatting in this country” at a ceramah during the recent Permatang Pauh by-election campaign.

The speech caused Ahmad to come under heavy fire from Chinese-based political parties, particularly from Umno’s allies MCA and Gerakan over the past two weeks. A spate of police reports were also lodged against the Umno division leader.

Ahmad nevertheless argued that his remark was taken out of context by Chinese-language Sin Chew Daily as he was referring to historical events.

At the press conference, Ahmad also urged the different states to hold a gathering of the whole ummah (Muslim community).

“Let us not let it go to waste as the flames of anger among Malays and Muslims has reached new heights. Let us take embrace this anger and come together as Malays and Muslims throughout the land so that we can turn the voices of the Malays into one that will unite all Malays and Muslims into one single movement.”

In an immediate reaction, both Abdullah and Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak are expected to meet Ahmad tomorrow. It is believed that action could be taken against the Umno leader.

My fellow Malaysians, the intentions of Mr. Ahmad and his cohorts are abundantly clear. They are trying to provoke and incite racial unrest.

Why else would they be likening the Chinese with American Jews? Why else would they pull of the publicity stunt of tearing down Mr. Koh Tsu Koon’s picture (and why is his picture still on the wall now?)? They have claimed  that this is about the dignity of the Malays.

Yet I wonder, throughout this whole episode, when was Malay dignity ever threatened?

Let me try and recall, best I can, of what had occured.

A division of MCA or Gerakan in Penang first came out condemning Mr. Ahmad for allegedly saying his now infamous remarks. According to them, it was reported first reported in a Chinese newspaper.

After that, a flurry of Chinese based political parties such as the MCA, Gerakan and DAP lodged police reports over Mr. Ahmad’s alleged remarks. Many more demanded an apology from him.

Mr. Abdullah Badawi, our prime minister, then said that he will ask Mr. Ahmad not to do it again. Later, Mr. Najib, the deputy prime minister, apologized on behalf of UMNO for the alleged remarks.

Many felt that Mr. Najib did not have to apologize. It was Mr. Ahmad who said it, thus it is he who should apologize.

Anyways, the rest of it we all know.

My point is, I fail to see how this whole episode mencabar the Malays. No one demanded an apology from the Malays per se. In fact, no one said that what Mr. Ahmad said is reflective of the Malays as a whole.

Mr. Ahmad Ismail, this was your own personal problem. Do not drag your race into it. Do not attempt to look like a jaguh Melayu, because you are not.

And now you’re trying to create racial tensions with you other Penang UMNO warlords. What, the money tak masyuk now that you’re the opposition? Contracts hard to come by these days? So you pull of this publicity stunt, trying to drag Malaysians into a quagmire of racial conflict.

But no, Mr. Ahmad Ismail. No, Penang UMNO warlords.

We will not fall for your shameless stunt to hold onto power. We will hold strong. We will keep peace. We are Malaysians, Mr. Ahmad Ismail and Penang UMNO warlords, and we will remain Malaysians. Your attempts at scaring us with May 13 will not work, for we have banished those ghosts a long time ago. We will not let you destroy the fabric our nation.

We want to build a new Malaysia, and the likes of you have no place within it.

So begone, Ahmad Ismail and your Penang UMNO. Begone and don’t you DARE claim that you speak for the Malays because you do not speak for me nor do you speak for other Malays and Malaysians who want to build that new Malaysia.

Begone, you low class politicians.

Antara pendatang dan perkauman, bahagian II 5 September 2008

Saya masih ingin menyentuh tentang isu kenyataan Saudara Ahmad Ismail.

Seperti yang kita ketahui, saudara Ahmad telah muncul semula dan mendakwa bahawa kenyataannya telah disalahlapor oleh pihak media. Katanya, beliau hanya menerangkan tentang sejarah Tanah Melayu sebelum Merdeka, di mana orang Cina dan orang India telah diberikan kerakyatan Malaya dan seterusnya Malaysia.

Di sini, saya ingin mempersoalkan penjelasannya. Pertama, saudara Najib Razak, Timbalan Perdana Menteri dan Timbalan Presiden UMNO telah meminta maaf atas kenyataan saudara Ahmad. Dilaporkan bahawa pada ketika itu, Saudara Najib berada di situ. Permohonan maaf saudara Najib menunjukkan bahawa sememangnya saudara Ahmad ada membuat kenyataan berbaur perkauman. Jika tidak, masakan saudara Najib akan memohon maaf untuk perbuatan saudara Ahmad. Jika betul beliau disalahlapor, mengapa saudara Najib tidak memperjelaskan perkara tersebut?

Kedua, mengapakah saudara Ahmad harus membangkitkan isu orang Cina sebagai pendatang ketika berkempen di Permatang Pauh? Mengapa harus memberi pendidikan sejarah ketika berkempen? Untuk membakar api perkauman, untuk memujuk orang Melayu untuk tidak mengundi saudara Anwar Ibrahim yang dilabelkan sebagai ajen Cina? Apakah relevannya kempen pilihanraya kecil dengan sejarah?

Isu ini harus ditangani oleh pihak berwajib dengan pantas. Saya cadangkan bahawa siasatan terperinci dijalankan, dengan memanggil wartawan-wartawan yang berada di situ dan juga dengan memanggil saudara Najib dan saudara Ahmad serta orang-orang lain yang menjadi saksi peristiwa tersebut. Walaupun saya sangsi dengan penjelasan saudara Ahmad, namun siasatan harus tetap dijalankan. Ini kerana terdapat dua pihak yang bercanggah antara satu sama lain. Proses undang-undang harus diteruskan dalam perkara ini, ketepikan emosi buat seketika.

Harapan saya bahawa siasatan yang dijalankan hendaklah telus dan tidak memihak pada mana-mana pihak, walaupun yang dikatakan mengeluarkan kata-kata tersebut adalah seorang ‘pembesar’ UMNO di Pulau Pinang.

Saya juga berharap bahawa rakyat Malaysia tidak melihat isu ini dengan kaca mata perkauman. Untuk membina sebuah negara-bangsa yang bersatupadu, isu ini harus dilihat bersama-sama sebagai rakyat Malaysia. Jika benar saudara Ahmad mengeluarkan kenyataan tersebut, rakyat Malaysia secara keseluruhan harus mendesak dia meminta maaf. Bukan hanya mereka dari bangsa tertentu.

Antara Pendatang dan Perkauman 5 September 2008

Melawati laman web dan blog-blog di ruang siber, saya mendapati bahawa pandangan tentang kata-kata berbaur perkauman yang didakwa telah dituturkan oleh Saudara Ahmad Ismail, Ketua Bahagian UMNO Bukit Bendera berbeza mengikut etnik dan kepercayaan politik mereka yang memberi pandangan.

Secara keseluruhannya, orang bukan Melayu menganggap kata-kata Saudara Ahmad sebagai melampau dan racist. Manakala bagi orang Melayu, pandangannya terbahagi kepada dua mengikut kepercayaan politik. Bagi mereka yang pro-Pakatan dan pro-ketuanan rakyat, kata-kata Saudara Ahmad itu semamangnya berbaur perkauman dan tidak patut dikeluarkan. Manakala bagi mereka yang pro-UMNO dan pro-ketuanan Melayu, ramai yang menganggap bahawa Saudara Ahmad tidak membuat apa-apa kesalahan dan tidak perlu meminta maaf. Malahan, ada yang marah bahawa Saudara Ahmad ditekan untuk berbuat demikian, dikatakan bahawa inilah buktinya bahawa orang bukan Melayu semakin ‘tidak sedar diri’ dan ‘lupa akan sejarah’. Bagi mereka, sememangnya orang bukan Melayu adalah ‘pendatang’. Golongan ini juga memberi contoh-contoh di mana bukan Melayu juga telah bersikap racist, namun orang Melayu tidak menuntut kemaafan sekalipun. Mengikut logik mereka, adalah tidak wajar untuk pemimpin-pemimpin bukan Melayu untuk mendesak Saudara Ahmad untuk meminta maaf walhal perkara yang sama tidak didesak oleh orang Melayu ketika bukan Melayu melakukan sesuatu yang berbaur perkauman.

Bagi saya, sekiranya benar Saudara Ahmad mengeluarkan kata-kata tersebut, maka dia tidak sepatutnya berbuat demikian dan harus memohon maaf. Orang bukan Melayu juga adalah penduduk negara ini dan ini jelas termaktub di dalam perlembagaan persekutuan. Mungkin nenek moyang mereka datang dari tempat lain, tetapi berapa banyakkah orang Melayu sendiri yang nenek moyang mereka bukan berasal dari Tanah Melayu? Saya sendiri berketurunan Bugis yang suatu ketika dahulu datang dari kepulauan Sulawesi di Indonesia. Adakah saya juga harus dilabelkan sebagai pendatang? Ataupun label pendatang tersebut mempunyai cut off point? Hanya mereka yang nenek moyang mereka dibawa oleh British ke Tanah Melayu layak dipanggil pendatang? Atau hanya mereka yang nenek moyang mereka berasal dari negeri Cina dan India? Hendak juga saya bermuzakarah dengan golongon ini, untuk mendapat tahu justifikasi yang mereka berikan untuk perkataan ‘pendatang’ tersebut.

Berkenaan dengan hujah bahawa bukan Melayu juga bersifat perkauman. Tidak pernah dinafikan, racist berada di mana-mana, pada setiap lapisan masyarakat, dengan segenap bangsa dan keturunan. Mungkin rapper wannabe Namawee, yang telah menyanyikan lagu rap Negeraku boleh dikatakan sebagai racist. Mungkin juga sesetengah dakwaan HINDRAF seperti pembersihan etnik adalah racist. Tetapi, bak pepatah Inggeris, two wrongs don’t make a right. Adakah perlakuan racist yang didakwa dilakukan oleh bukan Melayu menghalalkan racisme Saudara Ahmad? Sudah tentu tidak. Perkauman harus dibenteras sama sekali dari bumi Malaysia ini, walau sesiapapun yang melakukannya.

Saya tidak tahu mengapa sesetengah rakyat Malaysia mempunyai pemikiran Assobiyah atau berpuak-puak yang amat kuat. Tidak cukupkah kita hidup bersama selama 51 tahun untuk kita menerima sesama sendiri sebagai anak Malaysia?

Racist: Ahmad Ismail, UMNO Division Chief, part III 2 September 2008

To put some perspective, let’s see some reactions from other UMNO leaders on the furore over Mr. Ahmad Ismail’s remarks.

From Utusan:

Minta henti desakan

KOTA BAHARU 1 Sept – UMNO Kelantan hari ini meminta Gerakan berhenti mendesak supaya tindakan diambil terhadap Ketua UMNO Bahagian Bukit Bendera di Pulau Pinang, Datuk Ahmad Ismail berhubung satu kenyataan yang didakwa bersifat hasutan terhadap masyarakat Cina.

Pengerusinya, Tan Sri Annuar Musa berkata, kenyataan Ahmad itu pada satu ceramah di Permatang Pauh pada 25 Ogos lepas bersifat peribadi seperti juga kenyataan beberapa pemimpin Gerakan yang mengugut untuk keluar BN sebelum ini.

“Gerakan mutakhir ini semakin jelas mengeluarkan kenyataan yang terus menggugat keharmonian BN tetapi pemimpin UMNO yang lain tetap bersabar.

“Namun jangan kesederhanaan pimpinan Umno terutama Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ini cuba diambil kesempatan,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan di sini.

Annuar berkata, kini bukan masa yang sesuai bagi mana-mana pihak dalam Barisan Nasional membuat tuntutan sedemikian kerana ia boleh mengeruhkan lagi keadaan.

“Lebih baik pemimpin parti komponen bersama muhasabah dan perbaiki diri masing-masing,” katanya.

And from Malaysiakini:

Ahmad tidak wakili ’suara UMNO’

Kenyataan Ketua Umno bahagian Bukit Bendera, Datuk Ahmad Ismail yang didakwa berunsur perkauman, tidak boleh dianggap sebagai mewakili ’suara Umno’, kata pergerakan Pemuda Umno Perak.

Ketuanya, Zainol Padzi Paharudin menyifatkan kenyataan Ahmad itu lebih berbentuk peribadi dan tidak mewakili suara pemimpin Umno negeri Pulau Pinang dan negara.

“Umno bukan sebuah parti perkauman,” katanya ketika diminta mengulas desakan Gerakan, DAP dan MCA supaya Ahmad menarik balik kenyataannya dan memohon maaf masyarakat Cina.

Ahmad didakwa membuat kenyataan berunsur hasutan itu sewaktu berceramah di Kampung Belah Dua pada 25 Ogos lalu ketika pilihanraya kecil Parlimen Permatang Pauh.

Dalam ceramah tersebut, Ahmad didakwa berkata, orang Cina adalah pendatang yang menumpang di Malaysia dan oleh itu mereka boleh mengharap mendapat layanan sama rata.

Ahmad tidak dapat dihubungi untuk mendapatkan komennya sejak tercetusnya kontroversi tersebut Isnin lalu.

Pemuda DAP (Dapsy) telah membuat laporan polis di Perak, Selangor, Melaka, Pulau Pinang dan Negeri Sembilan terhadap Ahmad.

Parti-parti komponen BN – MCA dan Gerakan – juga telah membuat laporan polis berhubung isu yang sama beberapa hari yang lalu.

Mengulas lanjut mengenainya, Zainol berkata, Ahmad ketika itu berucap di hadapan majoriti orang Melayu untuk menaikkan semangat mereka sewaktu pilihanraya.

“Bila bercakap banyak, kadang-kadang kita terlupa… jadi jangan bersentimen. Oleh itu, Gerakan harus faham tentang perkongsian kuasa.

“(Oleh itu) Gerakan harus bertanggungjawab menjaga ahli-ahlinya supaya tidak bertindak sehingga sampai ke tahap mengganggu (parti-parti komponen BN yang lain),” katanya.

Sehubungan itu, Zainol berkata, beliau tidak bersetuju dengan tindakan Gerakan mengugut untuk meninggalkan BN.

Katanya, sepertimana Umno, Gerakan juga perlu mencermin diri dan mengenalpasti kelemahan yang ada untuk diperbaiki.

“Jangan cari benda-benda yang boleh merosakkan keadaan,” tambahnya.

The ‘feeling’ I get from these two statements is unfortunately not remorse that a rac. It’s more like ‘his statement doesn’t reflect us, and why you making so much noise Gerakan?!’. isn’t it?

Racist: Ahmad Ismail, UMNO Division Chief, part II 2 September 2008

Latest developments on Mr. Ahmad Ismail, the UMNO division chief who allegedly uttered racist remarks during the Permatang Pauh by-election. From the Star:

UMNO apologizes for racist remarks

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno, the backbone of the ruling Barisan Nasional government, has issued a public apology over a remark made by Bukit Bendera Umno division head Datuk Ahmad Ismail during the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election last month.

“We hope that the non-Malays will not be too disturbed with the statement and we apologise if it has incurred the sensitivities or unhappiness over the statement.

“We apologise, Umno apologises although it is not our statement but it is a statement made by one of our division leaders. It is totally unwarranted and does not reflect the position and the attitude of Umno or the leadership of Umno. We regret it very much,” Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also Umno deputy president, said here on Tuesday.

In the run-up to the Permatang Pauh by-election, Ahmad had said at a ceramah that the Chinese community were mere “immigrants” in the country and thus were not entitled to be given equal rights in Malaysia.

Speaking to reporters after launching the Chery Multi Purpose Vehicle here, Najib said the Umno supreme council would also decide at its next meeting on the “appropriate action” to be taken against the division leader.

“The statement is his personal statement and is not the stand of Umno and the Government. We do not regard Malaysian citizens of Chinese, Indian or other descent as ‘passengers’.

“They are Malaysian citizens who have full rights and we will definitely safeguard their interests and their dignity and I describe the statement as something that Umno and the Government very much regret,” he said. – Bernama

It’s good that Mr. Najib has apologized on behalf of Mr. Ahmad, although I must say it is only after increasing pressure from various parties. Yet, Mr. Najib must realize that we don’t want merely an apology, but demand stern action to be taken on Mr. Ahmad for his remarks.

We also demand the police to look into the matter. Enough of double standards, Mr. Ahmad’s comments must be investigated!

No room for racists in our new Malaysia!

Racist: Ahmad Ismail, UMNO division chief 31 August 2008

Tengku Razaleigh hit the nail on the head with his statement last week; that UMNO is now perceived as a rascist party.

UMNO leaders should not surprised by this perception, when its members make racist statements in public. Most recently, Bukit Bendera UMNO chief Mr. Ahmad Ismail, who allegedly called the Chinese community as pendatang, or immigrants.

And what was UMNO’s response to this alleged racist remark? Here’s from UMNO President, BN Chairman and our prime minister, Mr. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, taken from the Star:

Ahmad didn’t mean it, says Abdullah

KEPALA BATAS: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will personally see to it that Bukit Bendera Umno chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail does not repeat his remarks about the Chinese community.

“I will tell him not to do it again. You know in a campaign all sorts of things can come up. I don’t think he meant it. I’ll make sure to tell him not to use it again,” the Prime Minister said after chairing the Bertam Umno division meeting yesterday.

Ahmad had allegedly called the Chinese pendatang (immigrants) and was also reported to have said that “as the Chinese were only immigrants it was impossible to achieve equal rights amongst races” during a ceramah in Permatang Pauh in Aug 25.

He had allegedly uttered the remarks in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Penang Gerakan Youth committee member Dr Thor Teong Gee lambasted Ahmad and charged that Umno was still using racial ideology to achieve its own personal political agenda.

Bukit Mertajam MCA division chairman Lau Chiek Tuan called for disciplinary action against Ahmad.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s political secretary Ng Wei Aik also called on Ahmad to immediately retract his statement and apologise to the community.

Ahmad could not be reached for comment.

Tanjung Gerakan Youth division chief H’ng Khoon Leng lodged a police report at the district police headquarters in Patani Road over Ahmad’s alleged remarks.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said there was no reason for Ahmad to stir racial feelings with his remarks.

“This is the Merdeka month and such a racist remark should not have been made,” he added.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Umno leaders should stop using racial sentiment to seek support from the people.

That’s no punishment. It’s not even a slap on the wrist. In fact, I’d daresay that it’s not even acknowledging that Mr. Ahmad had done something wrong. ‘He will be told not to repeat it again’? ‘He didn’t mean it’? I’m sorry Mr. Prime Minister, that’s just not good enough. If Mr. Ahmad really did utter those words, then we DEMAND that he be punished! No wonder the other component parties are not happy.

Taken from Malaysiakini:

Gerakan mahu Ahmad dikenakan tindakan

Gerakan, parti komponen Barisan  Nasional (BN), hari ini mahu tindakan diambil ke atas Ketua Umno bahagian Bukit Bendera Datuk Ahmad Ismail berhubung kenyataannya yang bersifat hasutan terhadap masyarakat Cina.

Semasa satu ceramah di Permatang Pauh pada 25 Ogos lepas, Ahmad didakwa mengeluarkan kenyataan bahawa mereka hanyalah penduduk sementara di negara ini dan oleh itu adalah mustahil untuk mendapat hak yang sama di negara ini.

Setiausaha Agung Gerakan Datuk seri Chia Kwang Chye berkata ramai rakyat Malaysia kecewa dengan kenyataan Perdana Menteri dan Presiden Umno Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi apabila mengulas mengenai kenyataan Datuk Ahmad Ismail.

“Mereka menjangka satu kecaman yang kuat, terutama pada 31 Ogos, hari di mana semua rakyat Malaysia menyambut ulang tahun kemerdekaan negara.

“Selepas 51 tahun mencapai kemerdekaan, sebarang kesangsian mengenai kesetiaan mana-mana penduduk etnik Malaysia dan tindakan mempersoal kewarganegaraan adalah melampaui usaha menyemai persefahaman di kalangan rakyat Malaysia,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan, demikian menurut laporan Bernama.

Menjelang hari pengundian bagi pilihanraya kecil Parlimen Permatang Pauh minggu lalu, Ahmad didakwa membuat kenyataan itu dan semalam, ketika mengulas mengenai perkara itu Abdullah berkata beliau akan “memberitahu Ahmad jangan mengulangi lagi perkara itu.”

“Anda tahu semasa berkempen pelbagai perkara boleh timbul. Saya tidak fikir beliau bermaksud sedemikian. Saya akan pastikan untuk memberitahu dia jangan gunakan perkataan itu lagi,” kata Abdullah semalam.

Chia berkata kenyataan Ahmad sudah lapuk dan menimbulkan provokasi  perkauman sambil menambah sebarang petanda bahawa BN bertolak ansur dengan mereka yang jelas bersikap perkauman dan mengeluarkan pendapat yang bersifat provokasi akan memberi isyarat yang salah kepada rakyat.

“Ahmad Ismail bukan sahaja patut menarik balik apa yang diucapkannya tetapi perlu meminta maaf kepada semua rakyat Malaysia dan juga dikenakan tindakan disiplin bagi mengelak perkara itu daripada berulang,” katanya.

Sementara itu, Naib Presiden Gerakan Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan dalam satu kenyataannya mendesak pimpinan Umno dan BN untuk mengkaji semula pendirian terhadap Ahmad.

Beliau meminta polis menyiasat perkara itu memandangkan MCA dan Gerakan telahpun membuat laporan terhadap Ahmad.

Somehow, I don’t think the police will do anything against Mr. Ahmad. Heck, I don’t even think they’ll investigate the matter. I mean, it is after all an UMNO division chief who said those remarks, not Mr. Karpal Singh or Mr. Lim Guan Eng or even Mr. Khalid Ibrahim. We’ve got two different sets of rules, don’t you know?

As long as UMNO keeps spewing these racist rhetoric, as longs as it keep hurting the feelings of other races, then the support it lost from both Malays and non-Malays will return. UMNO’s humiliating loss in Permatang Pauh shoud be a lesson to it that playing the race card will not work on the majority of Malaysians. However, it does not seem that UMNO has learnt its lesson.