A delegation of Barisan Alternatif (BA) members today handed in a memorandum of protest against Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir for recent remarks against the Chinese community.

On May 13, the Chinese press had quoted him as saying that most Chinese Malaysians do not display the national flag o­n Merdeka Day, Aug 31. He was then speaking o­n behalf of the Merdeka Day organising committee.

Several Chinese non-governmental organisations have said they found the statement appalling and that his remarks were inappropriate in a multi-ethnic society like Malaysia.

Statement 'appalling'

The 20-strong BA group, led by Keadilan vice-president and Lunas state assembly representative Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (left) and Kedah PAS Youth chief Aris Awang, handed over the o­ne-page memorandum to the Bandar Baharu Umno branch office in Kulim.

Staff Abdul Hamid Abdullah received the memorandum o­n behalf of Abdul Kadir, who is the Kulim-Bandar Baharu member of parliament. He is also the chairperson of Kulim-Bandar Baharu Umno division.

Carrying posters and banners demanding the minister's resignation, the delegation then staged a mini protest in front the office.

At a press conference, Saifuddin said it was most inappropriate for Abdul Kadir (left) to question the loyalty of the Chinese community when he had won the constituency based o­n their support in the last general election in 1999.

Saifuddin said that Abdul Kadir - as chairperson of the Merdeka Day event dubbed 'KeranaMu Malaysia' - should be promoting national unity instead of hurting the sentiments of non-Malays who have contributed much to nation-building.

"The statement was irresponsible and wild. It does not o­nly hurt the community, it threatens national unity," Saifuddin claimed.

Accusations 'baseless'

Meanwhile, Aris said Abdul Kadir had lied about the Chinese not putting up the national flags because there was no evidence that this had occurred in any part of Malaysia.

He said Merdeka Day was four months away, but that the minister had already made "accusations" against the country's second largest ethnic group.

Keadilan supreme council member Cheah Kah Peng said Abdul Kadir's remarks were "seditious" as it may give rise to anti-Chinese sentiments among those who believe the lie.

"The Chinese understand the multi-ethnic nature of Malaysia and have helped the Barisan Nasional prosper and be in power all this time," said Cheah, who is the party's Penang deputy chief.

"To imply now that they are disloyal and unpatriotic is not o­nly ungrateful, but uncalled for and shameful."

Keadilan Kulim vice-president Tang Fuie Wah said she was delighted that Malay leaders in the party had taken the initiative to hand in the memorandum.

Tang said this indicated that Malaysians were ready for a new political order where multi-ethnic politics reigned supreme.

"This is not o­nly happening at the top level of the Opposition leadership, but at the grassroots as well," she noted.