Ramasamy: Akmal peddling racist stereotypes instead of rational dialogue

 

Former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy has called out Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamed Akmal Saleh, saying that the latter has resorted to racist stereotypes instead of choosing a rational discussion.

The pair have been engaged in a war of words over the topic of vernacular schools in the country, and last night Akmal took a swipe at Ramasamy by saying "Politicians such as yourself are why unity between the races can’t be fostered all this while.

“Kamu mabuk ke apa? (Are you drunk or what?),” Akmal posted.

“I expected Umno Youth leader Akmal to have responded rationally and maturely to my argument about the existence of the vernacular schools in the country.

“Not surprisingly, he responded by saying that I might be ‘mabuk’ or ‘confused’ about my defence of the vernacular schools.

“He is trying to peddle the usual and mundane stereotype of racists and bigots that as an ethnic Indian I might have some proclivity towards alcohol,” said Ramasamy in response.

“Mabuk ke apa” is a common Malay colloquialism to say that someone is either confused or not making sense.

However, implying drunkenness is also a common racist stereotype against Indians.

‘Tragedy’ having Akmal lead Umno Youth

Ramasamy said that Akmal had made superficial and racist remarks about vernacular schools and appeared unable to engage in a normal debate about vernacular schools and why he had made the call for the government to review them.

Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh

“Umno having lost virtually all Malay support is like a candle burning bright before the glare vanishes for good.

“Akmal calls himself an Umno Youth leader, but what a tragedy for the misguided Umno Youth members to have a leader like him to lead them stray on an important subject as the existence of vernacular schools in the country.

“I challenge him to call for the closing down of the vernacular schools. I would like to know how his DAP friends would take this challenge,” said Ramasamy, who left DAP last year.

“I repeat my argument that the passion for the existence of the vernacular schools is fuelled by the ethnic and religious discrimination against the non-Malays that was perfected by Umno in days of the BN in power,” he added.

“Umno’s misguided and misinformed leaders like Akmal have no understanding of history, perhaps a distorted version of Malay hegemonic history.

“By the way, the registered party, United for the Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) is not racially or ethnically defined.

“Unlike Umno, the membership is open to all the races, particularly the disadvantaged and marginalised,” said Ramasamy.

Ramasamy’s former DAP colleague, Bukit Gasing assemblyperson Rajiv Rishyakaran, has also called on Akmal to drop the insults and invited him to meet over coffee so that they could discuss the issue with civility. - Mkini