The Suqiu committee-Umno Youth joint statement that they are "putting aside" seven sub-points should be regarded as "null and void" because of conflicting interpretations of the term by both parties, said an opposition leader today.

In a prompt reaction to Umno Youth leader Hishammuddin Hussein's clarification earlier today that the term "carries the meaning of withdrawal", DAP chief Lim Kit Siang said that the interpretation totally contradicts Suqiu's ([#1] Sensitive Suqiu appeals 'withdrawn', insists Umno Youth chief [/#], Jan 12).

The Chinese lobby group's chairman Quek Suan Hiang has been quoted as saying that it does not mean "withdraw", "retract", "drop", " gugur " or " tarik balik ".

According to Lim, "Such totally conflicting interpretations destroyed the very basis and validity of the Suqiu-Umno Youth joint statement."

He added that Gerakan deputy president Kerk Choo Ting, who had initially given exclusive interviews to the Chinese media about his "invaluable" role as the mediator, should clarify which version he himself had understood it to mean.

Lim said that Kerk also needs to explain his actual role in the closed-door meeting last Friday in view of allegations that the Suqiu committee was pressured with threats of a racially tense situation prevailing in the country.

"There was no such tension despite attempts by certain extremist organisations to try to concoct and escalate ethnic tensions - activities which were given official blessings," he said.

Lim was referring to GPMS, the Federation of Peninsular Malay Students, which had "threatened" to stage nationwide rallies and publicise its 100-point demand if Suqiu did not retract its 17-point appeal.

GPMS had obtained a police permit to hold the gatherings and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also home minister, had been rapped for allowing it as the opposition had failed several times to obtain permits for gatherings.

Ransom

Lim said that there should be room for Malaysians to raise and discuss important and fundamental questions affecting nation building in a plural society.

He added that no one should resort to communal political blackmail and threaten an ethnic confrontation or escalation of ethnic tensions.

"Abdullah should ensure that nobody should be allowed to hold national harmony and economic well-being to ransom - by again resorting to irresponsible and extremist agitations - to escalate ethnic tension which is at present non-existent," said Lim.