Learn from Tian Chua and apologise, MCA tells Kit Siang

CAMERON POLLS | MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker has called on DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang to apologise for what he claimed was an attempt to defend PKR senator Bob Manolan Mohd's comments to the Orang Asli community in Cameron Highlands.

Bob Manolan had told Orang Asli tok batin (village chiefs) that they may lose their positions if they did not support Pakatan Harapan, but later claimed he was referring to their positions in Umno.

"PKR vice-president Tian Chua had apologised on behalf of the party and senator.

"Lim not only refused to apologise, but tried to bring in a deputy minister, an MP and an assemblyperson to deny the statement.

"If there had not been an audio recording, he may have gotten away with it. This is not what Malaysians want," Ti told a press conference at Wisma Umno in Tanah Rata this afternoon.

Yesterday, Lim said he had consulted with Deputy Water and Natural Resources Minister Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji, Bentong MP Wong Tack, Sabah senator Adrian Lasimbang and Ketari assemblyperson Young Syefura Othman who were present at the event where Bob Manolan spoke.

"They confirmed that there were no threats to the tok batin for not voting for Pakatan Harapan," he had said.

'Show humility'

Ti said Lim should show "humility" and apologise to the Orang Asli community.

"It Lim does not apologise, then we will have to tell voters in Cameron Highlands to exercise their votes to tell Lim and DAP that they should not be arrogant now that they are in power."

Earlier today, Tian Chua apologised to the Orang Asli community for any "unintended careless statements" by the party, but did not explicitly name Bob Manolan.

According to the audio recording, Bob Manolan had said "tak sokong, kita buang" (If you don't support, we would remove you) and "mana batin-batin yang tak sokong kerajaan, kita tak bayar gaji dia. Betul! Jangan bayar gaji dia" (If there are any tok batin who do not support the government, we won't pay their salaries. Correct! Don't pay them). -Mkini