BN backbencher Mohamad Aziz has refused to apologise to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Koh Tsu Koon for asking him to resign.

The Seri Gading parliamentarian insisted today that despite various quarters' demands that he apologise for criticising Koh's appointment as a minister in charge of overseeing the Key Performance Index (KPI), he would not retract his statement.

NONE "I won't take back what I said, I did not (say) anything wrong (in) my statement.

"People are asking me to ask for forgiveness. What? (Are you saying) Umno and Malays are only to qualified to apologise?" he asked.

He had said that Koh, who is also Gerakan president and former Penang chief minister, cannot play an effective role as a minister as the latter had lost the entire state of Penang in last year's general elections.

"I sympathise with my friend from Batu Kawan (former MP Huan Cheng Guan), who was a good MP but his seat was taken by the (Gerakan) president (Koh) who contested (in the last general elections), but he lost the whole state. And still wants to take care of KPI?"

Mohamad Aziz also accused Koh of being an "apple polisher" for turning up in Parliament only when the prime minister was around, besides being a senator through the "back door".

"No way man! I won't apologise because I have done nothing wrong. This is my observation, everybody have their own opinions," he said when pressed on the issue by journalists at the Parliament lobby.

The MP emphasised that he did not have any personal agenda and cares for MCA and Gerakan as both the parties were important components of Barisan Nasional.

"I did not question his party but his leadership... people who are fighting for a cause like me have no fear.

"If I am wrong then go ahead (take action) but (if) I am not wrong then I will defend my actions.

"What I said is supported by millions of my fans throughout the country... it's not like I don't have fans... I too have fans like a film star," he said.

Not questioning PM's prerogative

gerakan agm koh tsu koon pc 03.JPG Mohamad Aziz however stressed that he is not questioning Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's decision to appoint Koh as a minister.

"A minister is evaluated by everybody and I as a member of parliament representing the people must evaluate him.

"I see Najib as a champion of change and should be supported... in my speech what I said was those who need to give support are his ministers," he said.

The three-term MP said that he is vocal on all matters that involve the well-being of the people.

"There is no regulation in Parliament I have to support what has been done by the government, if the people are going to benefit then I will advice. That is a right of any MP," he said.

"I am only evaluating a minister who was appointed by the prime minister. I never questioned the appointment or the power of the prime minister but should we interfere with the people's evaluation?

"How do the people evaluate? You should do your job properly then only will the people give you a positive evaluation," he added.

bung mokhtar parliament 080708 02 Meanwhile, Mohamad Aziz and Kinabatangan MP Bung Mokhtar Radin also met with Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on the issue.

"We had a 30-minute meeting with Muhyiddin and he gave good advice to the BN Backbenchers Club," said Bung Mokhtar, who is also the BNBBC's deputy chair.

"For the moment, disciplinary action will not be taken. He (Muhyiddin) asked us to concentrate more on social issues affecting the people," said Bung, who confirmed that they will be meeting with the prime minister soon.