KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has come under fire from both sides of the political divide today for insinuating that non-Malays are not patriotic.
His critics wanted the Umno vice-president to apologise and retract the statement made in Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Zahid had listed four reasons why non-Malays were not interested in military service. One of the reasons was that non-Malays were “not patriotic”.
His cabinet collegue S Subramaniam led the charge saying that Zahid's statement had disappointed non-Malays.
"On the part of non-Malays, I wish to state that we have received many complaints that their application to join the armed forces was unsuccessful for various reasons including failing the physical tests and interviews. Apart from this, lack of promotion for non-Malays in the service is another reason why they are not interested in joining the armed forces.
"Taking all these and other factors into account, I feel that connecting patriotism with the participation of non-Muslims in the military is not correct.
“As a leader of the Indian community, I am saddened by the statement even more so when the statement comes from a national leader," said the MIC vice-president and human resources minister.
Subramaniam said MIC, being the largest Indian-based political party in the country, was willing to discuss with the Defence Ministry on ways to increase Indian participation in the armed forces.
Gerakan: He should join the army
Penang Gerakan secretary Goh Kheng Sneah also demanded that Zahid retract and apologise for his irresponsible statement.
“Lack of participation in the armed forces does not mean Chinese and Indians love the country less. The minister should publicly clarify his statement,” he told a press conference.
He said Gerakan was stunned and disappointed that a senior minister of Zahid’s stature could utter such a provocative statement that could stir racial sentiments.
“It’s an irresponsible statement from a federal minister, contradicting the prime minister’s 1 Malaysia concept advocating moderation. It was a racially biased, prejudice, shallow and chauvinistic remark,” he added.
If Zahid failed to apologise, Goh called on the minister to join the military himself to demonstrate his own patriotism to the country.
He said the low recruitment of non-Malays in the military was due to lack of career growth opportunities for non-Malays in the defence forces.
"The minister should probe into reasons behind the lack of interest among Chinese and Indians to join the military. Instead of finding solutions to the root cause, the minister finds an easy way out.
“Gerakan wants to reiterate that despite our differences, all Malaysians are committed and patriotic to the country,” he added.
The Gerakan leader also warned Zahid of possible backlash from his own constituents in the Bagan Datoh parliamentary seat, which had 23.3% Indian and 19.5% Chinese voters.
He said the minister had scrapped through at the 2008 general election with a mere 2,692 vote margin after winning it with a thumping 12,539 vote-majority in 2004.
The Pakatan onslaught
Meanwhile, several Pakatan Rakyat MPs slammed Zahid's comment calling it "racist and hurtful" to the non-Malays.
Ipoh Barat's DAP MP M Kulasegaran said he was both shocked and hurt.
"This is an unacceptable statement, it's as if non-Malays are not loyal to the country," he said, adding that Zahid's remarks could cause "racial misunderstanding".
Kulasegaran immediately moved a motion to debate the issue but Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia ignored the call and instead reprimanded him.
Bukit Gantang PAS MP Nizar Jamaluddin said Zahid's statement was contradictory to the 1Malaysia spirit and concept.
"I feel non-Malays just don't want to tango with the swindle and fraud taking place within the armed forces ... this includes the missing jet engines," he said.
Khalid Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) however believed that the non Malays just don't want to be used and abused for Umno's political interest.
No comments:
Post a Comment