MIC delegate chides Najib on caste remark
Hazlan ZakariaPublished: Jul 11, 2010 4:49 PM | Updated: Jul 11, 2010 4:57 PM
An MIC delegate today lashed out at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for his comment yesterday over the party’s practice of the social caste system in determining who should lead the party.
An MIC delegate today lashed out at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for his comment yesterday over the party’s practice of the social caste system in determining who should lead the party.
Debating the presidential address, Labuan MIC representative R Ramasamy said:“It is very unbecoming of the PM to make such comment to a hall full of Indians on the 64th MIC congress."
Yesterday in his speech to open the event, Najib told the 3,000 delegates at the party's annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur to choose their leaders based on their abilities, instead of on their social or caste standing.
“I don't know if should say it, but I will say it anyway. (The caste system) should not be the key determinant when choosing leaders. Choose them based on capability. It doesn't matter if they are slightly higher or lower," said Najib
In what seemed to be another dig against the PM, the delegate from Labuan also urged that the government summarily arrest under the Internal Security Act (ISA) anyone who makes hurtful statements that could cause disunity among the races.
Though he did not identify anyone in particular, Ramasamy’s remark may have been meant for Najib’s former special officer Nasir Safar, who had reported described Indian immigrants as "beggars" and Chinese immigrants as "prostitutes".
“I urge the PM to arrest all razor-tongue leaders, politicians and even government officers who said things that causes disunity be arrested under the ISA without considerations (to the contrary)."
The Labuan delegate suggested further that leaders such as former premier Mahathir Mohamad call for inclusive policies that address the need for all communities to develop rather than raise concern only for Malays.
Despite the acknowledgment by many personalities such as Mahathir that Indians have contributed a lot towards the nation for the last 120 years, little has been done in recognition of such contributions, said Ramasamy.
“Instead of just reminding Malays to "wake up" like he did in the Gertak Melayu Bangkit rally in Terengganu last month, he (Mahathir) should say, ‘Wake up Indians! Wake up Kadazan-Dusuns!...Wake up Malaysia! All must do better than the Chinese," said Ramasamy.
Debating the presidential address, Labuan MIC representative R Ramasamy said:“It is very unbecoming of the PM to make such comment to a hall full of Indians on the 64th MIC congress."
Yesterday in his speech to open the event, Najib told the 3,000 delegates at the party's annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur to choose their leaders based on their abilities, instead of on their social or caste standing.
“I don't know if should say it, but I will say it anyway. (The caste system) should not be the key determinant when choosing leaders. Choose them based on capability. It doesn't matter if they are slightly higher or lower," said Najib
In what seemed to be another dig against the PM, the delegate from Labuan also urged that the government summarily arrest under the Internal Security Act (ISA) anyone who makes hurtful statements that could cause disunity among the races.
Though he did not identify anyone in particular, Ramasamy’s remark may have been meant for Najib’s former special officer Nasir Safar, who had reported described Indian immigrants as "beggars" and Chinese immigrants as "prostitutes".
“I urge the PM to arrest all razor-tongue leaders, politicians and even government officers who said things that causes disunity be arrested under the ISA without considerations (to the contrary)."
The Labuan delegate suggested further that leaders such as former premier Mahathir Mohamad call for inclusive policies that address the need for all communities to develop rather than raise concern only for Malays.
Despite the acknowledgment by many personalities such as Mahathir that Indians have contributed a lot towards the nation for the last 120 years, little has been done in recognition of such contributions, said Ramasamy.
“Instead of just reminding Malays to "wake up" like he did in the Gertak Melayu Bangkit rally in Terengganu last month, he (Mahathir) should say, ‘Wake up Indians! Wake up Kadazan-Dusuns!...Wake up Malaysia! All must do better than the Chinese," said Ramasamy.
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