Gerakan has initiated disciplinary action against its Youth vice-chief S. Paranjothy over his racially sensitive remarks against Umno.
Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said Sunday (Dec 23) the party viewed the matter seriously and that the case has been referred to the Disciplinary Committee for a decision on the action to be taken before it was to be brought to the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC). [Bernama]
Paranjothy is alleged to have issued a press statement to Malaysiakini claiming that he was not happy with Umno and the way Indians in the country were being treated. Excerpt from Malaysiakini…
In an audacious move, a notable Gerakan politician has taken Barisan Nasional coalition leader Umno to task for inciting racial sentiments among Malays to gain political mileage.
“They incite racial sentiments among their community in a petty attempt to further their political career,” Gerakan Youth vice-chief S Paranjothy alleged today (Dec 21).
Such attempts, he said, include taking potshots at other BN component parties which draw their support from non-Malay communities.
“Umno leaders are very found of picking on component parties and use them as their punching bag or stepping-stone to gain popularity in their community,” Paranjothy said in a hard-hitting four-page statement entitled ‘Discrimination from Womb to Tomb’.
He singled out Umno Youth Chief Hishammuddin Hussien’s keris waving and his deputy Khairy Jamaluddin’s claim that non-Malays would take advantage of a weak Umno leadership, as prime examples of racial posturing.
He also cited Khairy’s speech at the Umno general assembly last month, during which he blamed newspaper vendors for not wanting to work on Deepavali day. He made a pointed reference to the fact that the sector is predominated by Indian Malaysians.
Paranjothy also mentioned that Malaysian Indians are treated as fourth-class citizens; and that the government has practised double-standards in the issuance of police permits for public demonstrations.
Hishammuddin responded on Saturday by demanding an explanation from Koh…
“If the explanation given is not satisfactory, we are prepared to sever all relations with Gerakan. This is no laughing matter.”
What is racial sensitive?
I can’t agree with Paranjothy’s statement that Indians are treated as fourth-class citizens. There are some racial biased policies in Malaysia, but not to the extend that any particular races are being marginalized. The government is not doing enough to help the poor, but there are other factors and people that should be blamed as well. I will write a post later to share further thought on this.
What I want to raise here… is what kind of statements could be deemed as racial sensitive? After 50 years of independence, it’s pathetic to think that every word that question about racial issues in Malaysia is categorized as sensitive remarks.
Malaysia is a multiracial country… we need to be tolerant and careful with our action and speeches; but that doesn’t mean that we should keep quiet about every racial issue that has surfaced. If we do that we are just cheating ourselves and allowing problems to grow bigger instead of finding solutions for it.
Besides, what part of Paranjothy’s accusations is wrong? Hishammuddin’s keris waving has angered thousands of people, and he is finding his own words to justify his action instead of considering that his action might ignite racial discontent; Khairy’s Deepavali story is even worse… but why are these Umno people be allowed to continue raising the tension whereas the others are not allowed to speak up their mind?
Political scapegoat
Hishamuddin’s fast response is clearly to boost his own Umno political image and not for the sake of national unity. He knows that if he didn’t condemn Paranjothy fast enough… Khairy would speak about it and steal the spotlight instead.
The Umno leaders are constantly in tug-of-war for power and political future… and often used other political parties as the scapegoat to gain popularity in their community. Paranjothy has mentioned this in his statement, and Hishammudin’s threatening demand against Gerakan probably has just endorsed this.
I am disappointed that Koh Tsu Koon has given in to Hishammudin’s demand rather easily. Paranjothy might have broken the stupid political rank in BN, but Gerakan should at least show their pride to condemn Hishammudin’s arrogance before taking action against their own man. Gerakan are acting like cowards now… and it brings no respect from both Gerakan and Umno supporters.
Umno Government is not going to listen
MIC parliamentarian K. Devamany got himself into trouble in late November after saying that “the government was not doing enough for the (Indian) community” in response to the Hindraf rally… and this time it’s Paranjothy’s political future that is in jeopardy.
The government leaders are not listening to opposition parties obviously, and they are not allowing any comments from their own men that are against their policies… in the end nothing besides S kissing words are going to get into their ears.
Government is willing to listen to criticism? It has been proven as empty talk once again.