PM defends Yeoh as FT minister, says racist backlash 'atrocious'

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has defended his decision to appoint DAP deputy secretary-general Hannah Yeoh as the minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories).

Anwar said it was incomprehensible to reject her just because of her race.

"To reject a person because of her colour and race, this is atrocious in this day and age.

“Sometimes, I just can’t understand the level of tolerance of some people," The Star quoted him as saying.

Yeoh is the first non-Malay to be appointed to the Federal Territories portfolio since the post and its various iterations were created in 1976.

The newly appointed cabinet line-up after the swearing-in ceremony

Her deputy Lo So Fui is also Chinese.

Earlier today, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan questioned why two Chinese were put in charge of the federal territories. Likewise, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the government must address concerns regarding Yeoh and Lo's ethnicity.

Among the issues that have cropped up are concerns that Yeoh might push for a local council election in the capital.

Umno and PAS have long rejected such an idea, claiming it would lead to Malays losing power in the city.

Critics are also playing up fears that Yeoh would team up with Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming to marginalise Malays through the proposed Urban Renewal Act.

Commenting on his pick, Anwar said having a Chinese minister does not mean Malays would be marginalised, nor would a Malay minister only safeguard Malay interests.

"I am fully aware that when we make such appointments, it may be perceived as Malays being sidelined and Chinese interests being fully accommodated.

“How are we supposed to govern the country in this way?" he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

Racial issues

On a related issue, Anwar said the government will be getting tough on racial issues next year - especially those that threaten national harmony.

"On issues of race, language and the economy, we must respond more firmly. We cannot continue to play on racial or religious sentiments to the point that they hinder the country's progress.

"If we continue to use the race and colour card, we will never get anywhere. That is why it is time for us to be firm, including on the issue of language," he said.

He said that Bahasa Malaysia mastery remained crucial, but that in a globalised world, mastery of other languages, including Chinese, Tamil, and Arabic, must also be enhanced.

Previously, Anwar's former deputy in PKR, Rafizi Ramli, lamented that the prime minister had been too soft when dealing with racial provocations from Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh.

He accused the prime minister of determining strategies based on how best to “protect” his position.

On a separate matter, Anwar also dismissed the possibility of a general election in 2026, saying there was a "long way to go".

Speculation is strong that Anwar would hold an election in early 2027 instead to resynchronise the timing of Peninsular Malaysia state elections with parliamentary polls. - Mkini