Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's claim that the call for reform by a Chinese lobby group was an action to hold the government ransom is unfair, said an opposition leader today.

According to Keadilan vice-chair Tian Chua, Suqiu's appeals were made as a genuine act of concern for the country's future.

"They were not directed to the government alone but all political parties, Barisan Nasional (BN) as well as Barisan Alternatif (BA)," he said.

He added that each party has the right to accept or reject sections in the memorandum and therefore the issue of ransom does not arise.

In a press statement to malaysiakini , Chua also said that it was blatant dishonesty on the part of BN to endorse the appeals prior to the general elections for fear of losing Chinese support and then do an about-turn to attack the appeals immediately after having won the elections.

Communists

Chua was responding to Mahathir's reply in Parliament on Monday, to a question posed by DAP MP for Kota Melaka Kerk Kim Hock regarding Mahathir's Merdeka Day speech equating the group to "communists in the past" and the extremist religious group Al-Ma'unah.

Mahathir had also said that Suqiu held the BN ransom during the last general elections to the extent that if the government did not entertain ( layan ) the appeals, Suqiu will get the Chinese to support the opposition.

The prime minister, however, said he directed his comments only to Suqiu and its leaders, not the whole Chinese community.

"If I have hurt the feelings of the Chinese community because Suqiu and the Chinese press played up the issue so that it seemed as though I directed my comments to all Chinese, I am sorry," he said.

However, Chua still finds it regrettable that Mahathir reiterated his accusation that Suqiu's actions to extremism, and said that the head of the government's speech showed a lack of appreciation for democracy and pluralism in Malaysian society.

He said that the prime minister is trying to insinuate that groups or individuals who express dissenting voices are considered treacherous and subversive.

Chua added that it was perfectly legitimate for the citizens of the country to present memorandums to criticise the government or call for change of policies.

Bangsa Malaysia

Stressing that the special status of bumiputra and Islam as the national religion have always been respected by all communities in Malaysia, Chua said that however, "these tenets should not be a pretext for suppression of dissent".

Further, he said, "Affirmative action should be aimed at eradicating injustices and inequalities in social and economic development, rather than a means to enrich pockets of the elite.

"The government should be open-minded by adopting a consultative approach towards suggestions and criticisms from them and Suqiu should be seen as one of the inputs to build an equitable Malaysian nation."

Chua said that it was the prime minister who had previously articulated the aspirations of a Bangsa Malaysia in his Vision 2020 concept where racial and religious barriers would be broken down when the entire citizenry embraces the identity of Bangsa Malaysia.

"It seems that Mahathir is whipping up racial sentiments in order to divert public attention from national political and economic crises. The nation needs to be watchful as Dr Mahathir may intensify racial tension to salvage his crumbling power," Chua added.