MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lee today claimed that his speech last Thursday on ‘Ketuanan Melayu' (Malay supremacy) was being deliberately misinterpreted and purposely twisted by several quarters for their own gains.

The former health minister however did not publicly name the parties but said they were members of several non-governmental organisations and a political party which was facing elections soon.

chua soi lek pc on ketuanan melayu issue 021208 01 Chua also clarified that while he had raised the issue of Malay supremacy in his speech, the correct context of the speech was over the power sharing concept in the Barisan Nasional (BN)

In his speech delivered at the Kancil Awards Festival Speaker Series last Thursday, Chua was reported to have said the concept of power sharing in BN should be changed.

He had said that the oft-used slogan of Ketuanan Melayu that indicated a master and servant relationship was unacceptable.

"We accept Malay leadership, but not Malay supremacy," he had added.

Following that, yesterday an organisation of young Malay graduates - Gabungan Graduan Melayu Muda - demanded that Chua apologise to the Malays for the speech he made which they claimed were seditious. They also wanted him to pay them a RM2 million compensation.

Also yesterday, Umno Youth aspirant Mukhriz Mahathir lashed out at Chua for questioning the Malay supremacy concept.

"When these leaders are making this kind of statement, it shows that they know nothing of our history or maybe they are trying to act as heroes to their community," added Mukhriz.

Do not be emotional

Speaking at a press conference at the MCA headquarters this morning, Chua said that it was unfortunate that his speech was taken out of context.

"I truly regret with the actions of certain parties which twisted my speech resulting in the Malays being angry with me.

chua soi lek pc on ketuanan melayu issue 021208 04 "My advice to them is to read the whole contents of my speech first and do not just look at the point of the Ketuanan Melayu which was raised and read it in a different context. Do not make such wild allegations," he said.

Some media reports had also alleged the MCA deputy president challenged the sovereignty of the Malay rulers or the special position of the Malays and bumiputera as enshrined in the federal constitution.

"Let us debate in a rational and civil manner and not be emotional," said Chua.

"Let me explain that the topic of my speech was about the change in politics in our country.

"I touch on the changes in the political landscape of the country after the March 8 general election which saw the start of a two-party system," he added.

In line with that, Chua said political parties should also change to be competitive and receive the support from the people.

"In my speech, I only emphasised on the struggles of BN component parties in advancing the rights of all communities and not a particular race only," he said.

Someone wants to be a hero

Chua repeated that the term 'Ketuanan Melayu' gave the connotation that the non-Malay component parties in the BN coalition were slaves.

"We accept the leadership led by a Malay leader. There are some parties which are exploiting the term Ketuanan Melayu in describing other component parties in BN are slaves and the sharing of powers was not ideal and equal.

"Furthermore, I also emphasised the need to reject the Ketuanan Melayu concept does not mean we are challenging the position of the Malay rulers, or the special position of the bumiputera and Bahasa Melayu as the national language as stated in our constitution.

mukhriz mahathir gaza fund 010208 smiles "Hence, it was evident I used the term Ketuanan Melayu in the context of power sharing within BN and not to challenge the sovereignty of the Malay rulers, the special position of the bumiputera community and Bahasa Melayu as the national language," he said.

He also rebutted Mukhriz's remarks that he made such a call to be the hero of the community.

"It's not me who want to be a hero... the MCA party elections are over. Maybe someone else wants to be seen as a community hero as he is facing party polls," he retorted.

He also said that he did not see a reason for him to apologise to anyone over the matter.

"My stand is clear. I don't want to apologise because I did not make any mistake," he said.