BN rep denies 'Muslims told to vote BN to keep Muslim CM' report

Nangka assemblyperson Dr Annuar Rapaee has accused Malaysiakini of taking his remarks out of context regarding the call on Muslims in Sarawak to vote for BN in the May 7 state election.

In a media statement, the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera (PBB) candidate said he merely told Muslims at a seminar in Sibu yesterday they should be thankful as other races were willing to support them because they are “fair to others and have been governing this country together well”.

“Therefore, I urged the Muslims to continue supporting Adenan (Satem) as chief minister.

“But what was published by Malaysiakini was different. Words were spun in such a manner that I was made to be like a racist," he charged in response to the article titled ‘Vote BN to keep Muslim CM, S'wak Muslims told’.

Elaborating, Annuar said he was merely advising Muslims to support Adenan whose acceptance rating was reported to have reached an 81 percent high from all races.

“Being Muslims, we should be grateful that we are able to blend well with the other races. Thus this harmony and tolerance need to be maintained,” he added.

Annuar said that he had clarified the matter with the Malaysiakini journalist.

“I told her that only racists see others as racist. As a result, what was explained was not published but with a headline that was slanted to racist undertones," he added.

Annuar, who is also the chairperson of the Sibu Muslim Welfare Trust Board (Lakis), also said that he did not mention the name of Stephen Kalong Ningkan.

“I challenge her (the journalist) to reveal any recording that I have mentioned such name in my entire speech! (sic)," he added.

While Annuar did not specifically state that Muslims should vote BN in order to retain a Muslim chief minister, his quotes had implied this.

Above is an audio recording of Annuar’s speech, where he tells the audience: “I call on the Muslim community, especially in Sibu, that we must be aware that despite not being the majority, we are given the opportunity to lead Sarawak. Let us not let go of this opportunity... just like that.”

Malaysiakini has amended the article and headline to better reflect the quotes' verbatim meaning and regrets if it was unclear.

As to the complaint surrounding the mention of Stephen Kalong Ningkan in the article, Malaysiakini would like to point out that this name was mentioned as part of the background in the article. The article never attributed it to Annuar.

The report also contained Annuar’s denial that he was playing the race or religious card to garner votes. -Mkini