The Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) is seeing red over the use of an insensitive term during a seminar held in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend.

The seminar was jointly held with a government-linked bank to seek assistance in form of loans for its members. Some 70 traders were present.

p sivakumar Miba president P Sivakumar told Malaysiakini that participants were riled up when a high-ranking officer from the bank allegedly repeated the words 'orang asing' (foreigners) twice.

According to Sivakumar, the officer in a "direct reference to the Indian community" told the audience that 'orang asing' could now apply for jobs in particular banks.

Urging speakers at public seminars to exercise caution and responsibility, the Miba president described the incident as nothing short of 'shameful'.

"This was an irresponsible remark in the name of national service. It was also unconstitutional and seditious.

"Indians are citizens of this country through naturalization of birth. Several generations have passed from the time Malaya got its independence," he stressed.

"It must be made clear that the country got its independence from the yoke of British rule only when all three major races through Umno, MCA and MIC collectively agreed to the Independent Merdeka Constitution Declaration .

"Indians contributed to the growth of this country since its infancy and have been slogging for this nation. While we see this land as our home, it is unfortunate to know there are still some who consider us as foreigners and continue to sow the seeds of distrust," he added.

Officer must apologise

However, Sivakumar said he does not want this issue to be sensationalised by other quarters, including political parties.

"Let us not make a mountain out of a molehill. This is just an isolated case," he pointed out.

Sivakumar said Miba has written to the officer and will also pen a letter of complaint to the bank, the governor of Bank Negara and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"We want him (the officer) to apologise. This is not for our personal interest but for general interest. It must serve as a deterrent for others," he said.

According to the Miba president, junior officers were also present at the seminar and this is not the kind of example that a senior officer should set.

"These officers hold important positions and should be impartial in discharging their duties. Furthermore, the officer is a bank employee and should not talk and act like a politician," he said.