MCA rejects racial rhetoric, even from allies, Wee tells DAP man

 MCA president Wee Ka Siong says PN election director Sanusi Nor's remarks, if true, do not help national unity.

MCA president Wee Ka Siong said Malaysia belongs to all Malaysians regardless of race, and that this country is their one and only homeland.

PETALING JAYA:

MCA maintains that it remains consistent in rejecting racial rhetoric, regardless of whether it comes from its political allies or rivals, says party president Wee Ka Siong.

Responding to criticism of MCA’s apparent silence on remarks made by Perikatan Nasional election director Sanusi Nor, Wee said his party has repeatedly spoken out against racial rhetoric.

“Regardless of whether the remarks came from political opponents or political allies, our principles do not change according to the identity or political affiliation of the person making the statement,” he said in a Facebook post.

The former minister maintained that Malaysia belongs equally to all Malaysians regardless of race, and that this country is their one and only homeland.

“The remarks attributed to Sanusi have understandably caused concern among Malaysian Chinese.

“Such remarks do not help national unity and only create unnecessary misunderstanding at a time when the country needs greater cohesion,” he said.

Nonetheless, he said public discourse on the matter should be fair and based on the full context of Sanusi’s remarks.

He also said the Kedah menteri besar should clarify his statement if it was misinterpreted.

At a ceramah on Thursday night, Sanusi allegedly said “Tanah Melayu” is the only homeland for Malays, unlike other ethnic groups, suggesting that the Chinese and Indians could fall back on their ancestral homelands outside Malaysia.

This led to DAP’s Kampar MP, Chong Zhemin, calling for Sanusi to be investigated, while leaders from MIC and PN component Malaysian Indian People’s Party also rebuked the PAS leader.

This morning, Chong questioned why MCA had not called Sanusi out over his remarks, saying keeping silent reflects subservience to PN, particularly PAS, for the sake of electoral gains.

Sanusi, however, claimed that his statement was distorted by certain quarters and threatened to take legal action against those responsible.

Wee also accused DAP of trying to portray itself as the Chinese community’s sole defender, saying it was just as skilled at playing racial and religious politics.

“DAP should therefore spare Malaysians the selective outrage and political theatre. MCA is prepared to arrange a private screening of these speeches and remarks for anyone who has conveniently forgotten them.

“MCA will continue to defend the rights and interests of the Chinese community while working towards a Malaysia that is stable, moderate and inclusive.

“We reject any attempt to divide Malaysians along racial or religious lines, regardless of where it comes from,” he said. - FMT