He said he quit his post at the Prime Minister’s Department to take responsibility for allegedly saying “Indians came to Malaysia as beggars and Chinese especially the women came to sell their bodies”, adding he was aware of the reaction to his speech at the Malacca International Trade Centre last Tuesday.
“I would like to again openly apologise to all Malaysians for the remarks that are seen as racist. I really did not intend it that way,” Nasir (picture) said in a statement released through the Bernama news agency.
The former Johor state assemblyman and Umno division chief repeated that he did not intend to offend anyone
“I have clarified that I did not intend to make racist remarks or insult any races. But there those who feel otherwise and I have apologised for any offence.”
He also expressed confidence that the 1 Malaysia concept that Najib has introduced will bring harmony to the country’s multi-racial population.
Najib earlier today said Nasir’s forced resignation for his racist remarks should serve as a lesson to all Malaysians to be more racially sensitive.
The PM added that the citizenship of every Malaysian should not be questioned, in what was a reference to his special officer’s threat to revoke the citizenship of Indians for making excessive demands on the government.
But right-wing groups, including those associated with Najib’s Umno, have come to Nasir’s defence, reflecting the difficulties the PM faces in selling his 1 Malaysia concept.
The controversy surrounding Nasir’s remarks comes at a time when Najib has been working hard to win over the support of non-Malays amid the “Allah” row, which saw attacks on places of worship across the country.
It also showed that, despite his intentions, his aides and political operatives have still not embraced his 1 Malaysia concept to bring unity and progress to the country.
Nasir’s remarks were also discussed by the Cabinet yesterday at its weekly meeting.
The Malaysian Insider understands that Najib told the Cabinet he was of the opinion that Nasir had “crossed the line”.
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