ALOR STAR: The federal government has been urged to put in place quickly a mechanism to counter race issues in the country, particularly in relation to teachers and racist politicians. Bukit Selambau assemblyman S Manikumar said Malaysians were becoming overly-sensitive and traumatised by recent incidents, which should not have occurred in the first place.
“We must think quickly of a mechanism to strengthen racial harmony. Malays, Chinese, Indians and Siamese must collectively think about the successes we have achieved since independence 53 years ago. It will all be a waste if we continue to carry on like this on a day-to-day basis,” he said
Manikumar was commenting on reports that the principal of Bukit Selambau Secondary School, Ungku Aznan Ungku Ismail, would not be penalised for mouthing racial slurs at his non-Malay students who were eating in the school canteen during the Ramadan month.
He said in the past, when racial ties among Malaysians were at its best, a statement such as the one made by Ungku Aznan would be overlooked.
“But the situation is different now. I want to ask the Chinese and the Siamese community here in Bukit Selambau not to magnify the issue because there are many other good and wise Malays here who are there for us,” he said.
Manikumar said the Kedah government took serious note of the issue and had directed the state education department to look into the matter.
“I have raised the issue with Menteri Besar (Azizan Abdul Razak) and he has directed the state education department to investigate the matter and take firm action.
“The investigation will take time as it involves the department and legal provisions which must be studied,” he said.
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