PUTRAJAYA, Sept 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today urged all non-Malays not to regard a recent remark by an Umno division chief which offended the Chinese community as reflective of Umno policy.
He said the remark by Bukit Bendera Umno Division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail was a personal opinion which did not reflect the party's stand at all.
Ahmad, at a "ceramah" in the run-up to the Permatang Pauh by-election on Aug 26, had said that the Chinese community were mere immigrants in the country and, thus, were not entitled to equal rights in Malaysia.
Abdullah said that in the Umno family of a large number of members, there was the possibility of various opinions being raised though, at times, they were not intentional.
"What he (Ahmad) said does not represent the voice of Umno members, does not represent the party's stand. Umno has always subscribed to discussion and cooperation among the component parties (of the Barisan Nasional).
"It (the remark) referred to the arrival of the non-Malays in the past, the position at that time and how it changed following discussions and the demand for independence after putting in place the social contract," he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the National Finance Council at the Finance Ministry, here.
Abdullah was asked to comment on the calls for Ahmad to apologise for his remark which drew negative response and prompted Deputy Prime Minister and Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to apologise openly on behalf of the party.
The prime minister said Umno subscribed strongly to discussion and close cooperation among the BN component parties and, though there might be shortcomings which had to be rectified, the fundamental question to be taken into account was the sincerity of the component party leaders in playing their role well.
"Surely, no one knows this. If there was a spy camera, people will be surprised and reassured as to the sincerity that goes into the discussions on any matter including this one, which was also discussed at the Cabinet meeting," he said.
Abdullah said Najib's apology on behalf of Umno was appropriate but the community still wanted an apology from Ahmad himself to clear the air.
"Datuk (Seri) Najib has said the right thing but they also want Mat (Ahmad)Ismail to apologise. So, I'm trying to get (in touch with) him. I have yet to do so. The media is also trying to get him, I know that.
"He can say that it was not his intention (to utter the remark) but the trouble is the words have already been uttered," he said.
He said Ahmad would come forward to make a statement because there is no place for him to hide.
"Where is he to go ... I am sure to meet him when I go to Penang," he said.
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