MCA wants Manoharan disciplined

MCA Youth has challenged DAP to take the same stern action against Manoharan as those who insulted the party's leaders.

PETALING JAYA: MCA has piled the pressure on DAP to take disciplinary action against Kota Alam assemblyman M Manoharan for insulting the national flag on Malaysia Day last Thursday.

Manoharan wrote on his Facebook that the flag should be modified as its current design resembled Barisan Nasional’s flag and didn’t reflect Malaysia.

The DAP man had since apologised, removed the posting and clarified that the opinion was his personal stand and had nothing to do with Pakatan Rakyat.

But this was not enough to appease MCA Youth secretary-general Chai Kim Sen who asked DAP whether Manoharan’s “unpatriotic remarks” would be dealt with in the same iron fist manner as the defamatory remarks made by other DAP members against the party’s leaders.

“DAP’s disciplinary committee sacked party members who publicly accused and spoke out against party leaders by claiming they violated the spirit and interest of the party,” he said in a press statement.

Chai referred to the sacking of three branch members last month for serious breach of party discpline. The three were Yap Kon Min (Serdang Baru), Tan Chew Wah (Balakong New Village) and Puah Ju Kian (Teluk Gadong).

“If they can be sacked for this I would like to ask if an insult to our national flag is akin to an insult on their own leaders or are their leaders more important?” he said.

Chai pointed out that the flag – Jalur Gemilang – reflected the nation’s legacy, sustained the forward movement of Malaysians and embedded stronger feelings for nationhood within them.

“Whether to replace the flag or discard other national symbols insults our ntional traditions and the contribution of our predecessors,” he said.

“Such suggestions are not conducive for national unity,” he added.

‘Low quality remarks’

Chai further criticised Manoharan for speaking “gibberish” by suggesting that the flag be replaced as though Malaysia was under foreign occupation or in a stage of disintergration.

“Such low quality remarks from DAP reps which condem Malaysia’s foundation and political struggle warrants criticism,” he stated.

“Manoharan uses social networking sites to incite the emotions of internet users. Fortunately Malaysian netizens have come out in defence of the Jalur Gemilang which indicates that they are able to think beyond emotional politics. There is a worthy lesson to learn from here,” he added.

Manoharan also came under heavy criticism from other BN politicians, including Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.