‘Ultra Malays’ could use diplomatic flap to revive ‘balik Cina’ calls, ex-Malaysian envoy warns

© Provided by The Malay Mail Online Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin labelled Huang’s move a ‘serious diplomatic faux pas’, and agreed with complaints that the China envoy’s decision to comment on alleged racism here was a clear example of a foreigner meddling in…KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 — Former Malaysian envoy Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin said today that China ambassador Dr Huang Huikang’s alleged interference in the Petaling Street fiasco may well be used by the ‘ultra Malays’ to fuel calls on the Chinese community here to “go back to China”.

Noor Farida labelled Huang’s move a “serious diplomatic faux pas”, and agreed with complaints that the China envoy’s decision to comment on alleged racism here was a clear example of a foreigner meddling in Malaysian affairs.

“This might also provide ammunition to the Ultra Malays that this is ‘proof’ that the Chinese Malaysians have divided allegiances and therefore they should ‘go back to China’,” she toldMalay Mail Online via text.

Noor Farida, who was formerly Malaysia’s ambassador to the Netherlands, said Huang should not have used the media to air his opinions, and should have instead relied on appropriate diplomatic channels.

She said in the first place, Huang should not have chosen last Friday to organise a formal visit Petaling Street or “Chinatown”, which was to be the venue of a Malay rally the following day.

“Even though he chose his words carefully, the act of going to Petaling Street is in itself damaging,” said Noor Farida, who is also the spokesman for G25, a group of Malay ex-civil servants.

On Friday, Huang held a walkabout in Petaling Street in conjunction with the Mid-Autumn festival, and also gave out mooncakes to traders and visitors.

News portal The Malaysian Insider reported that the Chinese embassy said Huang’s visit was to showcase that the popular stretch was safe to visit and that he had also made similar visits during major festivities in Malaysia, including Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali.

The visit, however, came amid rumours of the Malay rally that was to be held in the same area on Saturday.

The rally was said to be a follow-up event to the September 16 “red shirts” gathering held a week before where thousands of Malays attempted to push past police lines to enter the Chinatown, which they claimed was Chinese-dominated and prejudicial to their community.

The Saturday rally was eventually called off, however, after police nabbed a “red shirts” leader who was reported to have cautioned the authorities of a possible riot in the area.

During his visit, Huang was reported to have said that China opposes “any form of discrimination against races and any form of extremism” and that China would not hesitate to express concern regarding such matters.

“But with regard to the infringement on China’s national interests, violations of legal rights and interests of Chinese citizens and businesses which may damage the friendly relationship between China and the host country, we will not sit by idly,” he was quoted byMalaysiakini as saying in his statement.