The "setting aside" of seven controversial sub-points in Suqiu's 17-point election appeal carries the meaning of "withdraw", Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein said today.

"Once and for all, I confirm that the seven points are withdrawn and following the joint statement, these points are not to be questioned at all," he said, when asked to clarify the interpretation of those who claimed that Suqiu has retracted the "sensitive points" which allegedly question Malay special rights.

"I want to stress that these seven sub-points which question Malay special rights are sensitive. A lot of people do not realise that these seven points really touch on the sensitivities of the Malays," he added, saying he was grateful to be given the chance to clarify the matter.

Last Friday, Umno Youth and Suqiu (Malaysian Chinese Organisations' Election Appeals) announced that the two parties have agreed to "set aside" seven clauses considered "sensitive" following a series of meetings between them.

Citing "prevailing ethnic tension" as one reason for its decision, the two groups announced this decision via a written statement at a joint press conference ([#1] Suqiu backs down, 'sensitive' points dropped from discussion[/#] , Jan 5).

The seven sub-points which were set aside include:

- Affirmative action should be based on the protection and enhancement of the status of the weaker sectors and not on race, social background and religious belief; and

- Take steps to abolish in all aspects, the Bumiputra and non-Bumiputra distinction.

Emotional attachment

Hishammuddin, who is also Youth and Sports Minister, said that the other sub-points which touched on women's rights, orang asli rights and environmental issues are matters which the government had been working at.

These issues, he added, can be discussed without any party being "emotional".

"I, myself, am interested in discussing the remaining 76 sub-points. Suqiu's appeals have to be looked as a whole and be discussed in the interest of nation building," he said.

"The 76 sub-points have no emotional attachment and I am sure the younger generation may also want to discuss them," he added.

He said he was thankful that the controversy had not blown up into a large scale problem.

Behind the scenes

Asked about Gerakan's involvement in the meetings, Hishammuddin said that it was not Gerakan per se but rather personalities "behind the scenes' who had been involved in the meetings unofficially as they were concerned about matters such as Malay special rights.

These people, he added, had been working hard and attending unofficial meetings to help resolve the matter.

"They must be given credit because their paramount interest is to see that the matter is being resolved," Hishammuddin said.

Asked whether Suqiu had been pressured to withdraw their appeals since this was the general impression, Hishammuddin said that the impression would depend on who was making the comment.

"As far as I am concerned, it has already been resolved amicably," he said.

Umno-PAS debate

Hishammuddin reiterated that he does not want the Umno-PAS debate to take place as it will jeopardise the coming Malay unity talks among the top level leadership in Umno and PAS.

He said that both parties must be sincere, rational and mature in handling any issue that touched on race or nation.

Yesterday, Pewaris (Angkatan Pemuda Warisan Malaysia), a Malay non-governmental organisation, proposed that Umno and PAS have a closed door debate on the future of the Malays, instead of on Malay special rights.

Hishammuddin was speaking at a press conference to announce the Le Tour De Langkawi , a cycling event that will take place in Langkawi next month.