Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today expressed disappointment with Umno-owned Malay daily Utusan Malaysia for publishing articles with a racial slant.
He was asked to comment on the reservations aired over an article which was published on Sunday titled 'Melayu dikhianati?' (Malays betrayed?).
Among others, the article penned by Awang Selamat said that non-Malays were going overboard with their demands.
Although Muhyiddin was 'not aware' of the article, he however said Utusan must respect the position of every race in the country.
"Those accorded with proper citizenship are Malaysians irrespective of whether they are Malays, Indians or Chinese," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.
On the same note, Muhyiddin stressed that he was not taking sides, and added that Utusan "has done a great job" in informing the public for many decades.
He, however, hoped that the Malay daily, and all other newspapers, will have a “better understanding” when it comes to racial issues in the future.
Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, stressed that his advice was in line with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s concept of 1Malaysia that emphasises unity among all races.
“That (the concept) is very important because we don’t want to create any unnecessary problems among ourselves.
“We have been in this (peaceful) state for the last 52 years and we have treasured good relations that we have developed among the races, and we have to continue and respect this,” he added.
Yesterday, former Umno minister Zaid Ibrahim lambasted the Malay daily for stoking racial sentiments.
Muhyiddin backs veteran soldiers
In another matter, Muhyiddin backed Veteran Soldiers of Malaysia Association who yesterday made a strong call to not allow ex-communist leader Chin Peng from returning home and those who call for his return and support communism "should be shot dead".
“That shows how angry and upset they are. Malaysians have to understand how cruel communists were as they had caused many families to lose their family members while armed forces personnel lost their limbs because of it.
“This is the evidence of cruelty that communists had created. If your family were involved, would you not feel the same way like they do?” said Muhyiddin.
“If he is allowed to return home based on humanity, would we (justify) his killing (then)? Killing people is not humane. This will just make the people even angrier,” he said.
He also added that so long as the government was sticking to its decision to not allow Chin Peng to return home, “all debate and argument about it should be stopped”.
“They have to respect the government’s decision ... for those who want to appeal, we will not entertain them at all,” Muhyiddin said.
Chin Peng, 85, whose real name is Ong Boon Hua, has been living in exile in Bangkok and had sought permission from the government to be allowed to return home.
He was the chief of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) from 1948 to 1989 and gained prominence during the guerilla war against the Japanese in Malaya.
Many historians say about 2,000 colonial troops and Malaysian forces perished, along with up to 7,000 communist fighters.
Certain quarters have argued that Chin Peng is a war hero who helped the nation in its struggle for independence.
He was asked to comment on the reservations aired over an article which was published on Sunday titled 'Melayu dikhianati?' (Malays betrayed?).Among others, the article penned by Awang Selamat said that non-Malays were going overboard with their demands.
Although Muhyiddin was 'not aware' of the article, he however said Utusan must respect the position of every race in the country.
"Those accorded with proper citizenship are Malaysians irrespective of whether they are Malays, Indians or Chinese," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.
On the same note, Muhyiddin stressed that he was not taking sides, and added that Utusan "has done a great job" in informing the public for many decades.
He, however, hoped that the Malay daily, and all other newspapers, will have a “better understanding” when it comes to racial issues in the future.
Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, stressed that his advice was in line with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s concept of 1Malaysia that emphasises unity among all races.
“That (the concept) is very important because we don’t want to create any unnecessary problems among ourselves.
“We have been in this (peaceful) state for the last 52 years and we have treasured good relations that we have developed among the races, and we have to continue and respect this,” he added.
Yesterday, former Umno minister Zaid Ibrahim lambasted the Malay daily for stoking racial sentiments.
Muhyiddin backs veteran soldiers
In another matter, Muhyiddin backed Veteran Soldiers of Malaysia Association who yesterday made a strong call to not allow ex-communist leader Chin Peng from returning home and those who call for his return and support communism "should be shot dead".
“That shows how angry and upset they are. Malaysians have to understand how cruel communists were as they had caused many families to lose their family members while armed forces personnel lost their limbs because of it.
“This is the evidence of cruelty that communists had created. If your family were involved, would you not feel the same way like they do?” said Muhyiddin.
“If he is allowed to return home based on humanity, would we (justify) his killing (then)? Killing people is not humane. This will just make the people even angrier,” he said.
He also added that so long as the government was sticking to its decision to not allow Chin Peng to return home, “all debate and argument about it should be stopped”.“They have to respect the government’s decision ... for those who want to appeal, we will not entertain them at all,” Muhyiddin said.
Chin Peng, 85, whose real name is Ong Boon Hua, has been living in exile in Bangkok and had sought permission from the government to be allowed to return home.
He was the chief of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) from 1948 to 1989 and gained prominence during the guerilla war against the Japanese in Malaya.
Many historians say about 2,000 colonial troops and Malaysian forces perished, along with up to 7,000 communist fighters.
Certain quarters have argued that Chin Peng is a war hero who helped the nation in its struggle for independence.
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