Mind your language, Karpal tells Nga

The DAP national chairman says action will be taken if the Taiping MP continues to utter racial jibes.

GEORGE TOWN: DAP national chairman Karpal Singh today warned Taiping DAP MP and Pantai Remis assemblyman Nga Kor Ming against making any racist remarks in future.

He said that the party would not hesitate to take stern action if Nga does not watch his mouth and continues to utter racial jibes.

He called on all DAP leaders and members to mind their language when talking to the public and refrain from launching scathing personal attacks.

He said Nga’s racist remarks calling Perak Menteri Besar Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir a “metallic black person” would have hurt the sentiments of dark complexioned people, especially ethnic Indians in the country.

“His unsavoury remarks were indefensible.

“DAP will not defend him with such remarks. It can’t be justified,” Karpal told reporters during his visit to his Bukit Gelugor parliamentary constituency here today.

Nga has apologised to Zambry for his remarks.

In his statement on Wednesday, Nga, the Perak DAP secretary, however, maintained that he was not referring to Zambry’s skin colour or Indians when he uttered the phrase in various ceramah.

”I simply meant that the mentri besar is illegal and that the state government is unlawful,” he said.

Nga claimed that his speech had been taken out of context, saying that the issue was being politicised as the general election was near.

”All Malaysians are my brothers and sisters including Zambry.

”I personally have no hatred against him, but I will never recognise him as menteri besar simply because he does not have the mandate from the rakyat,” Nga added.

No Datukship

Karpal also dismissed allegations by delegates at last week’s Umno general assembly that DAP leaders have insulted the rulers by declining to accept conferment of Datukship and other titles.

He said it was the party’s policy that its leaders and members should not accept any titles while they are still active in politics.

“They can accept such titles after retirement from active politics. Until then, no,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that Perak DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham and Selangor State Legislative Assembly Speaker Teng Chang Khim “have broken the rule”, adding that both have been “reprimanded”.

“The party has made it clear to all leaders and members its stand on the issue,” he said.

On PAS Islamic agenda, Karpal insisted that it was DAP’s, not his, stand to oppose the Pakatan Rakyat ally’s agenda to implement hudud law in the country.

“When I speak, I speak as DAP national chairman… on the behalf of the party. I’m not alone opposing the hudud law.

It’s the party’s uncompromising stand,” he said.