MCA chief Chua 'will not apologise' to DJ Jamal

MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek, who is at the centre of the controversy surrounding the Chinese radio station 988, will not apologise to popular DJ Jamaluddin Ibrahim over an allegedly discriminatory remark.

Chua, who is in Sungai Petani to open a seminar for village security and development committee members, clarified that he had merely made a general statement as everyone is aware that Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims.

“When Jamaluddin started talking, I just reminded him (not to make such statements during Ramadan),” Chua told reporters today.

“I am just reminding him, it was nothing excessive. I hope he (Jamaluddin) will not abuse what he thinks he can abuse (the religious statement) for his own self interest.”

Jamaluddin (right) has demanded an apology and clarification, after Chua allegedly told him to be more responsible as a Muslim over the issue.

He has also questioned Chua's motive for dragging his religion into the controversy.

Jamaluddin was asked to go on leave after the radio station's management received a letter from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) saying that the former and the Hi Malaysiaprogramme were suspected of 'threatening national security' and 'compromising race relations'.

'Hands-off' policy

Chua said he had stated very clearly that MCA has a “hands-off” approach to management of English-language daily Star and 988, a subsidiary operation.

He said Star is a public-listedcompany and is therefore, accountable to its shareholders, and also that the newspaper is doing well because of this non-interference policy.

“I do not even know how much money Star makes. We do not disturb, especially me, (I) never get involved. We do not touch 988, and I do not know what is happening,” he said.

“All I know is that the company (988 radio station) is having a problem with the MCMC. And the one who is dealing with the MCMC is the Star management, not the MCA.”

Chua had clarified on Friday that he has only met Jamal once after being elected MCA president.

courtesy of Malaysiakini