Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir has been slammed for telling the Chinese in Sg Limau to prove that they support BN first, as a response to his refusal to give allocations to Chinese schools in the area.
Alor Setar MP Gooi Hsiao Leung said Mukhriz's statement on the matter is "most arrogant and racist in nature".
"As far as I am aware , no other Umno leader in our country has ever called on the Chinese to prove their support for the party (in such a manner)."For that statement alone, the community in Sg Limau should reject BN outright in toto," said Gooi (left) when he visited PAS candidate Mohd Azam Samat yesterday.
Mohd Azam, 37, is contesting in a straight fight against BN's Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim, 52, in a 12 day campaign that ends on Nov 4, polling day.
"I would like to remind Mukhriz that it is Umno, and not the voters, that must prove and convince the Chinese community that BN has changed its ways since 505 (the May 5 general elections)," Gooi said.
"Mukhriz ought to remember that he is MB for all races and should treat all races fairly and equally, regardless of whether they voted for BN or otherwise," he added.
Gooi said it is the voters' right to vote for whomever they choose, and for Umno to convince the voters that they deserve to be voted in.
MCA defender of Chinese or apologist?
He added that it was "equally deplorable" that the Kedah MCA leadership has decided to be an apologist for Mukhriz over the MB's refusal to aid Chinese schools and open admission to preferring to help only those who had voted and supported BN.
Gooi said it is "inexcusable" for leaders like MCA Alor Setar chief Chor Chee Heung (right) to make excuses for Mukhriz’s statement by saying it was "misinterpreted".
Chor had defending Mukhriz based on third-hand information, and the MCA leader was not personally present when the claims were made, Gooi added.
"It is incomprehensible why MCA leaders would chose to defend the indefensible, when they fully know that even the public would not buy what they have to say, when such clarification of having been misinterpreted should personally come from Mukhriz if there is any sincerity on his part," said Gooi.
"There is no need for MCA to be his apologist to explain on his behalf," he added.
Gooi called on the Sg Limau Chinese to come out in full force on polling day, and to represent their community in the whole country to give Umno a message that the party's style of racist politics is unacceptable.
"Send a clear message that they (Chinese) will not be intimidated, blackmailed or threatened to vote for Umno unless it proves its sincerity that it condemns extremist racial and religious politics," Gooi said.
Gooi said it is "inexcusable" for leaders like MCA Alor Setar chief Chor Chee Heung (right) to make excuses for Mukhriz’s statement by saying it was "misinterpreted".Chor had defending Mukhriz based on third-hand information, and the MCA leader was not personally present when the claims were made, Gooi added.
"It is incomprehensible why MCA leaders would chose to defend the indefensible, when they fully know that even the public would not buy what they have to say, when such clarification of having been misinterpreted should personally come from Mukhriz if there is any sincerity on his part," said Gooi.
"There is no need for MCA to be his apologist to explain on his behalf," he added.
Gooi called on the Sg Limau Chinese to come out in full force on polling day, and to represent their community in the whole country to give Umno a message that the party's style of racist politics is unacceptable.
"Send a clear message that they (Chinese) will not be intimidated, blackmailed or threatened to vote for Umno unless it proves its sincerity that it condemns extremist racial and religious politics," Gooi said.
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