Staying far from ‘idiot’ Nazri

Demanding an apology, a DAP leader cites the minister's remarks as a reason why Malaysians abroad choose not to return home.

GEORGE TOWN: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz has drawn flak for questioning the patriotism of Malaysians residing abroad.

DAP MP Teresa Kok noted that it was people like him who reaffirmed in Malaysians overseas the notion not to return home.

“His statement is most insensitive, hurtful and shows utter disrespect to our fellow Malaysians’ personal choice to live abroad whether for work or studies.

“In today’s globalised world, Malaysians will travel to wherever they can to pursue what they perceive is a better life, higher income and brighter future for themselves and their loved ones.

“This pursuit for a better life must be respected and it is most shameful of Nazri to use it to cast aspersions upon Malaysians who live abroad,” she added.

Furthermore, Kok said the minister’s statement revealed his ignorance of how Malaysians who lived abroad contributed to Malaysia’s economy by way of foreign remittance.

“I urge Nazri to get off his moral high horse, retract his hurtful statement and apologise unreservedly for his most hurtful remark to Malaysians abroad.

“Failing which, he gives Malaysians living abroad yet another reason to stay abroad, far away from the idiocy of Nazri’s insensitive and hurtful remarks,” added the Seputeh MP.

Yesterday, Nazri told Parliament that Malaysians who chose to reside abroad do not love the country, therefor do not deserve to vote in elections here.

‘They left because of BN’

Meanwhile, DAP MP Liew Chin Tong slammed the minister for making an irresponsible remark.

“Many left the country and are living abroad because they could not see any hope under Barisan Nasional’s authoritarian rule, unfair and unjust policies.

“They never left the country due to lack of love,” said the Bukit Bendera MP.

The opposition leader also pointed out that the brain drain was a serious problem in the country. A recent parliamentary reply disclosed that 140,000 had left the country in 2007. Between March 2008 and August 2009, the figure doubled to 305,000.

Liew also reminded Nazri that the right to vote for those residing overseas was enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

Therefore, he said, no one had the right to defranchise their constitutional right.

He said the government and the Election Commission were obliged to uphold the overseas Malaysians’ constitutional right.

Instead of giving lame excuses, he said, the government and EC should expedite the implementation of postal votes in all Malaysian embassies. - FMT