Bersatu: Statement blaming DAP provoked 'Gardenia' remark fake

 

Bersatu today refuted the authenticity of a Perikatan Nasional statement, which blamed a DAP representative’s “provocation” for causing a PN lawmaker to link Sabahans with Gardenia bread.

“This statement is fake and has been circulated on social media,” said the party on Facebook today, sharing a picture of the statement with a “fake” label plastered across it.

The allegedly fake statement also stated that a police report would be lodged against the DAP lawmaker’s “kebiadapan” (impudence), and apologised on behalf of PAS’ Kuala Ketil state assemblyperson, Mansor Zakaria, who made the remark.

According to the New Straits Times, Mansor said in the Kedah assembly sitting on Wednesday that winning over Sabah voters was “as simple as giving them Gardenia bread”.

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The quip referred to East Malaysians, often seen buying Gardenia bread in large quantities before flying back to Sabah or Sarawak, as it is more expensive in the Borneo territories.

The state executive councillor for housing, health, and local government, later apologised.

Kuala Ketil state assemblyperson Mansor Zakaria

“I apologise for my remarks yesterday and I withdraw them… With sincere intent, I retract what I said if it offended the people of Sabah.

“We were debating what was said in Sabah about Kedah. We were drawing comparisons… so I do not want to prolong this issue,” Mansor reportedly said.

Criticisms from Sabah Bersatu, Amanah

Sabah Bersatu chairperson Ronald Kiandee, in a brief social media post, strongly condemned Mansor’s jibe, describing the action as shameful.

“Gardenia bread exco. ‘Palui’ (stupid). Embarrassing yourself,” he wrote, without referring to any party specifically.

Perak Amanah Youth also condemned Mansor’s statement, which was seen as suggesting that the support of Sabahans could be won simply with Gardenia bread.

Gardenia bread

In a statement today, its chief Khairol Najib Hashim said Mansor’s statement was insulting, and accused PN and PAS of holding Sabahans’ dignity in low regard.

“Is this how they plan to win the support of people in other states?

“PAS may have forgotten that the people of Sabah cannot be treated as fools. Sabahans have long demonstrated their courage and resilience in defending the dignity of their state and their rights as Malaysians,” he said.

Commenting further, Khairol said the statement was a sign that the people of Sabah would reject PAS.

“The people of Sabah are not cheap. Their worth is not measured by a loaf of bread,” he added. - Mkini