BTN man bad example of 1 Malaysia, says Soi Lek

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 — The MCA described the National Civics Bureau (BTN) official today who allegedly made racial slurs as a poor example of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia inclusiveness policy.

The Chinese party’s stand follows that of MIC and DAP leaders who agreed yesterday that Najib’s 1 Malaysia was being undermined by his own men in the government’s controversial agency.

“He is not a good example of a 1 Malaysia spirit citizen,” MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek (picture) told reporters today, referring to BTN Federal Territory deputy director Hamim Husin.

Hamim had yesterday referred to the Chinese and Indian communities as “Si Mata Sepet” and “Si Botol” respectively when telling Puteri Umno members to approach the non-Malays for votes.

“The ‘si mata sepet’ that has never gone to a mosque or surau only has one vote. The ‘si botol’ that only knows how to go up to Batu Caves up and down only has one vote,” Hamim told the closed-door gathering.

Dr Chua also urged the Public Service Department (PSD) to act against the BTN official.

“We want JPA to take action,” he said, referring to the department’s Malay acronym.

Hamim’s remarks have sparked a chorus of condemnation across other parties on both sides of the political divide like the DAP, MIC and PAS.

Today, the DAP demanded for an immediate punishment against Hamim while the MIC has urged BTN director-general Datuk Shagul Hamid Abdullah to investigate the matter and take further action.

Meanwhile, PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub described Hamim’s racial slurs as a manifestation of Umno’s views on non-Malays and claimed that Umno’s hatred for the Chinese and Indian communities was getting out of control.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang also challenged the Cabinet to dissolve the entire bureau, which he claimed promoted “extremism”.

He claimed that the manner in which the BTN controversy was being handled was in stark contrast with Najib’s remarks at the UN General Assembly yesterday where he pushed for moderation to be practised between all major religions and races in the world.

Today, Dr Chua further dismissed Hamim’s proclamation that Malay rights constituted a mandate to rule the country.

“He does not know what democracy is all about,” said Dr Chua.

“It is the rakyat who determines who rules,” he added.

Lim had said that Hamim’s proclamation showed Najib’s 1 Malaysia was being hampered by enemies from within his own camp.

The BTN, a state agency charged with running courses on patriotism for civil servants and undergraduates, came under fire last year for promoting racism.

The Najib administration had promised a revamp of BTN’s courses following a widespread public outcry.

courtesy of Malaysian Insider