Another party has given Najib Abdul Razak’s apology on behalf of Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail the thumbs-down.

As the Barisan Nasional deputy chairperson, Najib should have taken strong action against Ahmad Ismail instead of just apologising, Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) said in a statement today.

“We wish to remind Najib that even the cabinet rejected the apologies of the father of rap song 'Negaraku-ku' singer Wee Meng Chee,” Sapp deputy information chief Chong Pit Fah said.

Chong said that previously the then MIC secretary-general S Sothinathan was also suspended as a deputy minister for three months over his remarks during the parliamentary debate on the Crimea State Medical University (CSMU).

He said such a failure had inevitably revealed BN’s blatant hypocrisy, especially in dealing with the conduct of its members.

“Ahmad Ismail should have been immediately issued with a show-cause letter on why he thought action should not be taken against him for making such a racist remarks. Najib should not cover for him by apologising on his behalf,” Chong argued.

In Najib's presence

Ahmad Ismail had made racist remarks pertaining o the Chinese during the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign last month.

Ahmad had allegedly said the Chinese are “menumpang” or passengers, hence it was impossible for them to achieve equal rights amongst races.

He had allegedly uttered the remarks in the presence of Najib Tun Raza who was directly in charge of the BN election campaign work in Permatang Pauh recently.

Chong added that BN’s failure to take action against Ahmad and attempt to cover for him also clearly demonstrated Umno’s sheer arrogance and failure to learn from the two ‘political tsunami’ in less than six months.

Other BN components who spoke out against Ahmad Ismail were MCA and Gerakan. Both asked for stern action against the erring Umno division leader.