KUALA LUMPUR: Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has apologised for the statement made by one of the party's division leaders which resulted in a lot of criticism from the Chinese community.
“We will apologise. Umno apologises,” he told a press conference after launching the Chery Eastar multi-purpose vehicle at a hotel here yesterday.
“It (The comment) was totally unwarranted and doesn’t reflect the position and attitude of Umno or the leadership of Umno. We regret it very much,” he said.
Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail had called the Chinese pendatang (immigrants) at a ceramah prior to the Permatang Pauh by-election.
His statement caused a furore and condemnation from various political parties both within the Barisan Nasional and outside.
Several police reports were also lodged against Ahmad.
Najib said the statement was wholly Ahmad’s.
He stressed that Umno and the Government did not subscribe to such a stand.
“We have never considered the Chinese, Indians and other races in Malaysia as lodgers (penumpang). They (the non-Malays) are citizens with full rights and we will continue to protect their rights and dignity.
“We hope the non-Malays will not be too disturbed by the statement,” he said.
Asked if Umno would take action against Ahmad, Najib said the matter would be discussed at the Umno supreme council meeting.
Attempts to contact Ahmad over the past few days have been unsuccessful. On car manufacturer Chery Automobile, Najib said it had teamed up with local partner Chery Alado Holdings Sdn Bhd to set up a completely knocked down vehicle assembly plant in Pekan, Pahang.
“If everything goes to plan, the plant will assemble 100,000 Chery cars in the next three years,” he said.
The plant is targeted to start operations by the end of next year.Najib said Chery would also market its hybrid model here by next year.
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