We didnt read Rustams article, two wanting apology admit
Ajinder KaurPublished: Jan 15, 2001 11:14 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
MCA Youth deputy secretary-general Liow Tiong Lai today admitted that he called for an apology from PRM vice-president Rustam Sani for allegedly insulting the Chinese community without having read the latter's full article in the Berita Keadilan.
When contacted by malaysiakini today, Liow said he demanded the apology based only on Rustam's statement published in the malaysiakini article last Monday ([#1]Pengundi Cina boleh anggap 'tidak berprinsip'[/#], Jan 8).
He said, however, that, he still stood by his demand even after malaysiakini pointed out to him that the report was only part of Rustam's full article ([#2]Politik baru terbantut, demokrat kecewa[/#], Jan 15).
"Full or partial, the content of his (Rustam's) article already reflects his insensitivity to the various communities," Liow said.
Liow had last Thursday demanded an apology from Rustam over a statement which he allegedly said that the Chinese voters were easily manipulated by whoever was in political power and that the community could not be trusted.
Rustam, however, stood by his article in Berita Keadilan which was published last Friday, saying that he had no reason to apologise as he was merely describing the perception in some quarters concerning the Chinese as being "unprincipled voters". He said it was never his own assessment.
Rustam has instead threatened to take legal action against Liow and four other politicians who have accused him of uttering allegedly offensive remarks.
He said that Liow, MCA Youth chief Ong Tee Kiat, Malaysian Democratic Party (MDP) secretary-general Wee Choo Keong, DAP deputy chairman Karpal Singh and senator Zainuddin Maidin should show clear evidence that he had actually uttered or written the alleged derogatory remarks.
Narrow-minded
Liow, in response, today said that the question of legal action was non-existent, as the statement itself was proof that Rustam had insulted the Chinese community.
"Rustam cannot avoid responsibility. He has to be responsible for what he quotes or writes in his article. The remarks are a very narrow-minded perception," he said.
Meanwhile, Wee, when contacted, also said that he stood by his demand for an apology from Rustam, despite, he too, not having read the said article at all.
"I demand an apology from him, based on what Karpal has said. I stand by my statement if the remarks are true," he said, adding that it was Rustam's prerogative to take legal action against anybody.
Karpal was reported by The Star on Saturday as having called on Rustam to apologise for his utterances about the Chinese community which have also done a "manifest disservice" to the cause of the opposition front.
In a statement last Saturday, Wee said if it was true that Rustam had made the statement, then he should be sensitive enough to immediately offer his unqualified apology to the Chinese community.
"The MDP would like to send a reminder to all politicians to immediately stop playing racial politics or making derogatory statements on race, as it will bring Malaysia back to pre-independence days," Wee said.
When contacted by malaysiakini today, Liow said he demanded the apology based only on Rustam's statement published in the malaysiakini article last Monday ([#1]Pengundi Cina boleh anggap 'tidak berprinsip'[/#], Jan 8).
He said, however, that, he still stood by his demand even after malaysiakini pointed out to him that the report was only part of Rustam's full article ([#2]Politik baru terbantut, demokrat kecewa[/#], Jan 15).
"Full or partial, the content of his (Rustam's) article already reflects his insensitivity to the various communities," Liow said.
Liow had last Thursday demanded an apology from Rustam over a statement which he allegedly said that the Chinese voters were easily manipulated by whoever was in political power and that the community could not be trusted.
Rustam, however, stood by his article in Berita Keadilan which was published last Friday, saying that he had no reason to apologise as he was merely describing the perception in some quarters concerning the Chinese as being "unprincipled voters". He said it was never his own assessment.
Rustam has instead threatened to take legal action against Liow and four other politicians who have accused him of uttering allegedly offensive remarks.
He said that Liow, MCA Youth chief Ong Tee Kiat, Malaysian Democratic Party (MDP) secretary-general Wee Choo Keong, DAP deputy chairman Karpal Singh and senator Zainuddin Maidin should show clear evidence that he had actually uttered or written the alleged derogatory remarks.
Narrow-minded
Liow, in response, today said that the question of legal action was non-existent, as the statement itself was proof that Rustam had insulted the Chinese community.
"Rustam cannot avoid responsibility. He has to be responsible for what he quotes or writes in his article. The remarks are a very narrow-minded perception," he said.
Meanwhile, Wee, when contacted, also said that he stood by his demand for an apology from Rustam, despite, he too, not having read the said article at all.
"I demand an apology from him, based on what Karpal has said. I stand by my statement if the remarks are true," he said, adding that it was Rustam's prerogative to take legal action against anybody.
Karpal was reported by The Star on Saturday as having called on Rustam to apologise for his utterances about the Chinese community which have also done a "manifest disservice" to the cause of the opposition front.
In a statement last Saturday, Wee said if it was true that Rustam had made the statement, then he should be sensitive enough to immediately offer his unqualified apology to the Chinese community.
"The MDP would like to send a reminder to all politicians to immediately stop playing racial politics or making derogatory statements on race, as it will bring Malaysia back to pre-independence days," Wee said.
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