Kit Siang says Najib’s policies doomed if extremism not curbed
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 – Lim Kit Siang today told Datuk Seri Najib Razak to forget his lofty economic reforms if he cannot even stop the “extremists” in his own camp from exploiting racial and religious issues for their political gain. The DAP parliamentary leader said it was no exaggeration to say that Malaysia could say goodbye to the transformation initiatives under the New Economic Model (NEM) and the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) as well as foreign and domestic investment and Vision 2020 if the prime minister could not rein in his own people.
“The ball is in Najib’s court,” Kit Siang (picture) said in a statement.
The prime minister has thus far not commented on alleged racist remarks made by the two principals although his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, has ordered a probe into the matter.
Pointing out that the theme for this year’s Merdeka celebrations was “1 Malaysia Transforming the Nation”, the Ipoh Timur MP questioned if Najib and his Cabinet ministers had the shortest collective memories compared to all previous Cabinets seeing as how they seemed to be forgetting the warnings of the NEM and 10MP, which likened Malaysia to a “burning platform”.
“The NEM and the Tenth Malaysia Plan had both warned that the time for transformation is NOW... if Malaysia is to successfully escape from the twin nation-building and economic crisis [sic] to become a developed, high-income nation with inclusivity and sustainability in 2020,” he said.
Making reference to two school principals from opposite ends of the country who allegedly uttered racist remarks within a week of each other, Lim claimed that Malaysia, instead, was divided and discordant with “persistent, irresponsible and inflammatory incitement” of race politics, which went against the very grain of Najib’s 1 Malaysia concept.
“Even the schools and the young generation of Malaysians are not spared, as illustrated by the cases of the racist outbursts against school children, one in the south in Kulai and the other in the north in Sungai Petani, demonstrating utter contempt and intolerance of 1Malaysia ... by school principals who should be the ‘role models’ and standard-bearers of Najib’s 1Malaysia!” he said.
The principal of SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra in Kulai had reportedly made the derogatory remarks during the launch of the school’s Merdeka celebrations earlier this week.
“Chinese students are not needed here and can return to China or Foon Yew schools. For the Indian students, the prayer string tied around their neck and wrist makes them look like dogs because only dogs are tied like that,” Siti Inshah was quoted as saying in at least one police report.
Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, yesterday directed Education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom to set up a committee to investigate the matter. Alimuddin had earlier said it was a misunderstanding that had already been resolved, in a failed attempt to placate angry parents.
The police are currently investigating the case under Section 504 of the Penal Code for provocation, which carries a maximum imprisonment of two years, a fine, or both.
A total of 20 complaints have been lodged with the authorities.
Yesterday, another principal, this time from Sungai Petani, Kedah was accused of racism for allegedly telling her Chinese pupils to “return to China”.
The Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bukit Selambau head was said to have accused the Chinese pupils of being insensitive towards their Muslim peers by eating in the school compound during the fasting month of Ramadan last Friday, and ordered them to return to China if they could not respect the culture of other races.
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has also told Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders not to use race and religion to win votes.
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