Ramasamy tells Penang Bersatu Youth not to behave like Umno

P Ramasamy has brushed aside a call from Penang Bersatu Youth for him to quit the state executive council over his criticisms against the introduction of khat in national schools.

"They are a bunch of rabble-rousers who just want to ride on the wave of popularity. If they say I am racist, then they must give evidence of it.

"Bersatu Youth thinks both of them cannot be questioned? They are no different from Umno then," he told Malaysiakini.

Ramasamy said he has every right to raise questions on the introduction of khat to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohammed and Education Minister Maszlee Malik.

Yesterday, Penang Bersatu Youth urged Ramasamy to quit over the khat debate, saying he was not fit to be the state exco for education since he does not promote the history and heritage of the Malay language.

They were responding to him saying that "khat might be important to the Malays, but such a reception might not be present among non-Malays, although, over the years, many non-Malays have acquired competence in Jawi."

Ramasamy added that it is the mandatory imposition that seems to be the source of the problem, as it brings out the "worst imagined fears" of non-Malays.

Chinese and Tamil educationist groups have urged for khat, which will be introduced in the Year Four Bahasa Malaysia syllabus next year, to be postponed.

'Shallow understanding'

Penang DAP Youth vice-chairperson Jason Raj (photo) also queried the state Bersatu Youth's capacity to urge Ramasamy to quit his post.

He described Penang Bersatu Youth's understanding of the issue as "very shallow" since they are unable to grasp the gist of Ramasamy's argument.

"Ramasamy was not criticising Mahathir about the matter, but merely stating his views about what will happen if khat is implemented in schools," he said in a statement.

"Try to understand Ramasamy's basis for commenting on the issue before criticising him.

"What is wrong in responding to Mahathir or Maszlee when both of them issued remarks which are inappropriate and can create dissatisfaction among the people?"

Jason called on Penang Bersatu Youth not to be "swollen-headed," and asked what they have contributed to youths in the state, beyond hospital visits and hairdressing activities.

"So why are they 'menjaga tepi kain orang' (being busybodies)? Their remarks against Ramasamy have tarnished their own image," he said.

"What is the point of a 'New Malaysia' if we cannot accept opposing views from the people?

"Stop behaving like Umno or BN, as it does not benefit Pakatan Harapan at all." - Mkini