Umno Penang's "rubbish claims" that Penang Chinese are successful because of illegal businesses has been blasted for "cheap political mileage".

Senator and MCA vice-president Chew Mei Fun in a strong statement said today that Umno Permatang Pauh delegate Zaidi Mohd Said deserved rebuke "in the harshest terms" for his "bigoted allegations".

"We solemnly object against Mohd Zaidi ( right ) linking vice activities of operating illegal gambling, prostitution and entertainment outlets as the path taken by Penang Chinese towards wealth.

"Such bigoted allegations indicate an individual sorely in need of a brain," said Chew, who is also MCA Penang state liaison committee chairperson in a statement today.

"Not only is such a slur inappropriate, it is highly inflammatory and may destroy our nation’s harmonious multi-racial relationships overnight.

"It is pathetic that Mohd Zaidi seeks to score cheap political mileage by resorting to rubbish claims of magnifying 'vice activities' to slander the Penang Chinese," she said.

Chew added that Zaidi has ignored the contributions of Chinese Malaysians and has offended the community.

 

“Not only has he ignored the qualities of hardworking Chinese, he neglects the contributions of Chinese Malaysians towards Penang and the nation, and has offended the feelings of the Chinese community at large.”

 

'Unacceptable behaviour'

She also said that Zaidi’s remark of associating the Chinese with gambling and prostitution was a “seriously misleading and unacceptable behaviour”.

 

“MCA Penang asserts that gambling and prostitution are not, have never been, and will never be part of Chinese culture.

 

“Identifying ethnicity with crime is totally unacceptable in any society, be it in Malaysia or worldwide,” said Chew.

 

She urged for Umno to take serious action against Zaidi as his statement can cause racial disharmony.

 

“MCA Penang urges Umno to look into this matter solemnly and take action against any member who insults the sensitivities of others, not only because some extreme views may cause social unrest, and to arrest the effects against inter-ethnic harmony.”

 

Meanwhile, MCA Penang Youth chairperson and national Youth treasurer-general Michael Lee said that it is "shameful and vicious" that the Chinese community especially in Penang was portrayed in negative light by Umno delegates during the general assembly.

 

"These repeated offensive remarks carrying a marginal difference where last year, the term “illegal business” referred to “Chinese”, while this year, the phrase refers to “Penang Chinese.”

 

He added that this kind of statement can also deceive the younger generation of Umno members.

 

"Such twisted thinking implanted by Umno leaders may mislead new Umno members," Lee said.

Penang has borne the brunt of the Chinese bashing witnessed at the Umno annual general assembly in Kuala Lumpur this week.

Among others, Umno delegates accused the state government, led by predominantly Chinese party DAP, of a subtle plot to drive out the Malays.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has however countered the claim, pointing out that Umno was the party responsible for selling off Malay land in the island state.

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