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Penang Umno backs Ahmad who says Malays have a right to question the citizenship of the Chinese |
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Posted by admin
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Friday, 05 September 2008 17:13 |
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By Adib Zalkapli, The Malaysian Insider All 13 Umno divisions in Penang have backed Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail's decision not to apologise for calling the Chinese in Malaysia immigrants during the recent Permatang Pauh by-election campaign.
Ahmad also threw down a challenge: "If the Chinese can question the special rights of the Malays, the Malays can also question the citizenship of the Chinese." His latest outburst and the decision of Penang Umno to support him will certainly raise racial tensions. The latest development is also a major embarassment for Umno's national leadership. Reacting to demands from Chinese political parties and organisations, Deputy Prime Minister had apologised on behalf of Ahmad. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi also said this week that Ahmad did not represent the view of Umno. At a press conference following a meeting of Penang Umno divisions here today, Ahmad blamed the Chinese media for playing up the issue. He also asked acting president of Gerakan Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and other Chinese leaders to instead apologise for being "immature."
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Pakatan Rakyat, it's now or never!