Ahmad: Many support my statement
Athi VeerangganPublished: Sep 6, 2008 10:37 AM | Updated: Sep 6, 2008 10:52 AM
Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail has claimed that his decision not to apologise for his racially inflammatory remarks has received “tremendous support” from Malay-Muslim groups.
Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail has claimed that his decision not to apologise for his racially inflammatory remarks has received “tremendous support” from Malay-Muslim groups.
The support shown after he announced yesterday that he would not apologise for saying during a ceramah that the Chinese were squatters in pre-independence Malaya, even surprised Ahmad himself.
Contacted by Malaysiakini today, Ahmad said those who supported him consist of professionals, top academicians, politicians, civil movements, relatives and friends.
“They were flabbergasted with the emerging threats against Malay rights and privileges,” he said.
"I am surprised with the unexpected overwhelming support I had received from Malay-Muslims across the country. It seems Malays have kept back their disgruntlement for far too long and my issue had evoked their sentiments.
“It is going to be a major issue now,” cautioned Ahmad, who has been under fire from Chinese-based political parties, particularly from Umno’s allies MCA and Gerakan, over the past week.
Going to sue paper
Ahmad also announced that he would be suing best-selling Chinese-daily Sin Chew Daily and a reporter for quoting him out of context, resulting in the ongoing controversy.
“He had picked my speech out of context and had blown up a sensitive issue out of proportion, causing hurt to me and my family in the process,” he claimed.
"As a result I have been accused of being a racist, my image tarnished and my feelings hurt," said Ahmad who also hinted that the suit would be filed in two weeks.
Asked if the proposed suit would be dropped should the newspaper publicly apologise, Ahmad said he would consult his lawyers on the matter.
‘Shoot the reporter’
In another development, Penang Umno secretary Azhar Ibrahim has stood by his call for the Sin Chew reporter in question to “be shot” should a May 13-type racial riot breaks out.
Contacted today, Azhar reiterated firmly that, “the journalist deserved to be shot if her article causes another May 13".
Yesterday, Azhar made the startling call during Ahmad’s press conference where the latter explained the contents of his Aug 25 ceramah speech and vowed never to apologise.
According to Ahmad, he had spoken during the ceramah about how the Chinese were brought in by the British colonists and were thus squatters before being granted citizenship during independence.
Ahmad claimed that the Sin Chew journalist however had intentionally misquoted him as saying that the Chinese today were still squatters.
Thus far, Sin Chew has stood by their report while two other journalists covering the same Aug 25 ceramah has backed the veracity of the report as well.
The Penang police have also recorded Ahmad’s statement on the matter. Police have stated that the case was investigated under section 4 (1) (B) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries a fine not exceeding RM5,000, minimum three years jail, or both.
The support shown after he announced yesterday that he would not apologise for saying during a ceramah that the Chinese were squatters in pre-independence Malaya, even surprised Ahmad himself.
Contacted by Malaysiakini today, Ahmad said those who supported him consist of professionals, top academicians, politicians, civil movements, relatives and friends.“They were flabbergasted with the emerging threats against Malay rights and privileges,” he said.
"I am surprised with the unexpected overwhelming support I had received from Malay-Muslims across the country. It seems Malays have kept back their disgruntlement for far too long and my issue had evoked their sentiments.
“It is going to be a major issue now,” cautioned Ahmad, who has been under fire from Chinese-based political parties, particularly from Umno’s allies MCA and Gerakan, over the past week.
Going to sue paper
Ahmad also announced that he would be suing best-selling Chinese-daily Sin Chew Daily and a reporter for quoting him out of context, resulting in the ongoing controversy.
“He had picked my speech out of context and had blown up a sensitive issue out of proportion, causing hurt to me and my family in the process,” he claimed.
"As a result I have been accused of being a racist, my image tarnished and my feelings hurt," said Ahmad who also hinted that the suit would be filed in two weeks.
Asked if the proposed suit would be dropped should the newspaper publicly apologise, Ahmad said he would consult his lawyers on the matter.
‘Shoot the reporter’
In another development, Penang Umno secretary Azhar Ibrahim has stood by his call for the Sin Chew reporter in question to “be shot” should a May 13-type racial riot breaks out.
Contacted today, Azhar reiterated firmly that, “the journalist deserved to be shot if her article causes another May 13". Yesterday, Azhar made the startling call during Ahmad’s press conference where the latter explained the contents of his Aug 25 ceramah speech and vowed never to apologise.
According to Ahmad, he had spoken during the ceramah about how the Chinese were brought in by the British colonists and were thus squatters before being granted citizenship during independence.
Ahmad claimed that the Sin Chew journalist however had intentionally misquoted him as saying that the Chinese today were still squatters.
Thus far, Sin Chew has stood by their report while two other journalists covering the same Aug 25 ceramah has backed the veracity of the report as well.
The Penang police have also recorded Ahmad’s statement on the matter. Police have stated that the case was investigated under section 4 (1) (B) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries a fine not exceeding RM5,000, minimum three years jail, or both.
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