Social media users slam Najib over ‘slap’ remarks

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (centre) with 'red shirt' rally organiser Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam (right) seen here at the National Silat Federation function Friday. Najib says the ‘red shirt’ rally was held because the Malays have a right to voice out their grievances. – The Malaysian Insider pic, September 20, 2015.Datuk Seri Najib Razak has received thousands of negative comments from Malaysian netizens over his "slap" remarks to justify the September 16 “red shirt” rally as a manifestation of the Malays defending their dignity.

The quote in Malay was featured on Astro Awani's Facebook page yesterday with many of the commentators expressing their disagreement and said that those who deserved to be slapped were dishonest and insincere leaders.

The picture, featuring a songkok-clad Najib in a black baju Melayu came with the quotes: "Sekali tampar, kita tak buat apa. Dua kali tampar...tak buat apa...tiga kali tampar...tak buat apa...tapi empat kali tampar sudah melampaui batas. Orang Melayu ada hak juga."  

("Slapped once, we did not do anything. The second time... nothing... the third time... nothing... but the fourth time is crossing the limit. Malays have rights too.)

In a comment which had more than 4,300 times likes, Nazirul Aiman Md Hassan said: "4kali tmpar tu bukan utk melayu.tp utk pemimpin melayu yg xsedar diri n asyik menipu melayu".

(The four slaps is not for the Malays but for Malay leaders who are delusional and looking to cheat the Malays.)

Alahai Debab said: "Sbnrnyr rakyat dh lama nk tampar ko najib...."  (Actually, the people want to slap you Najib). His comment has received more than 2,800 likes.

Najib made the remarks two nights ago at the National Silat Federation Assembly in Kuala Lumpurr.

He said the Malays had been patient despite several illegal rallies held previously that were seen as challenging the dignity of the Malays.

Another Facebook commentator, Kassim Selamat, wondered who should be slapped and urged leaders to unite the people instead of trying to divide them.

"Siapa yg tampar siapa?...Jgn jadi Penghasut. Fikirlah bagaimana utk menyatukan rakyat pelbagai suku kaum bukan utk mececahbelahkan rakyat sendiri.Kita membangun negara ini bersama2," he wrote.

(Who is trying to slap who? Don't be an agitator... Think of how to unite the multi-racial people and not try to divide own people... We develop the country together.)

Commentator Tro've Man said no one was angry or wanted to slap the Malays.

"Yg org marah pemimpin korup. Pemimpin yg zalim. Itu yg melayu nak tampar," he said. (People are angry with corrupt leaders. Cruel leaders. That's who the Malays want to slap.)

In ticking off Najib, Khairul Fahmi said everyone should refrain from bringing up racial sentiments and the prime minister should instead encourage unity.

"Cukup2lah sebut psl sentimen perkauman untuk kepentingan sendiri.. Makin x aman Malaysia nie.. Sebagai Perdana Menteri Malaysia yang beragama Islam, sepatutnya anda galakkan perpaduan semua bangsa dalam Malaysia nie.. Agama Islam pun menyuruh perpaduan xkira bangsa.. Dekat Kaabah tu semua bangsa ada mengadap Allah.. Bukan untuk kepentingan anda sorang, tapi untuk semua supaya aman damai.. Dalam agama Islam pun menyuruh perpaduan, bersatu padu tanpa mengira kaum..."

(Enough with the racial sentiments for own interests. Malaysia is increasing not harmonious. As a Muslim prime minister, you should encourage unity among all races in Malaysia. Islam encourages unity regardless of race... at the Kaaba, all races are there to face Allah... It's not for your own personal interests but all so that there is harmony. Islam also calls for unity regardless of race...)

Also known as Himpuan Rakyat Bersatu, the red shirt rally was held to counter the Bersih 4 gathering which organisers had claimed insulted the integrity of the Malay race.

The rally saw incendiary remarks and racially-charged banners and placards as well as some tense moments such as riot police spraying chemically laced water on a group of rowdy rally goers who had attempted to breach the police barricades to gain access to Petaling Street.

- TMI