Zahid: I did not mean to hurt non-Malays

Zahid Hamidi

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 — Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi sought to explain his jibe on non-Malay patriotism today, claiming he had not meant to hurt the community but stopped short of apologising for his statement.

The Defence Minister told Parliament today that he had not meant to hurt the feelings of the non-Malays when he attributed their low presence in the military to their “low spirit of patriotism”.

“I feel it is unfortunate if my answer to the House in November had hurt the feelings of any race,” he said when he rose to explain his statement after Question Time this morning.

He added that he was aware that history had proven that the non-Malay community, including the Chinese, Indians, Kadazans and other groups, had joined in the nation’s struggle against the Communist insurgency in the 1960s.

“I did not mean to hurt the feelings of the non-Malay community,” he said.

However, when M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) stood up to interject, urging the minister to issue an apology, Zahid ignored him.

Instead, he urged leaders of all parties, including community opinion leaders and non-governmental organisations, to work together and improve the presence of the non-Bumiputeras in the armed forces.

“Let us stand together to uphold the principles of 1 Malaysia, initiated by the Prime Minister,” he said.