MCA too wants stern action

MCA today said that it was unhappy with the attitude of Bukit Bendera Umno division head Ahmad Ismail, urging stern action to be taken against him.

"We will strongly raise this issue at the Barisan Nasional meeting later today," said MCA president Ong Ka Ting.

MCA's stand echoes sentiments expressed by Wanita Gerakan this morning - the wing has called for Ahmad to be expelled from Umno and detained under the Internal Security Act.

Ong, however, said he did not want to speculate on the form of punishment Umno should mete out to Ahmad.

"We can't forgive him just like that. He must show sincerity and apologise. We also want action to be taken by the party leadership," he said during a brief press conference after chairing the MCA presidential council.

Ahmad has refused to apologise for his allegedly racial remarks aimed at Chinese Malaysians, and yesterday initiated further attacks against the minority community.

Ong said that MCA was “very unsatisfied” with Ahmad’s remarks, especially after he had made more inflammatory remarks yesterday.

He said that the Umno leadership must take stern action against Ahmad (left) because the latter’s remarks were “very unfair” to the Chinese community.

“It has deeply hurt the Chinese community. MCA’s position on this matter remains (the same) - since the time he called the Chinese ‘squatters’ up to calling the Chinese ‘Jews’, he has gone overboard,” he said.

Ong also said the MCA would urge the Barisan Nasional supreme council to mete out a severe punishment on Ahmad, adding that the Chinese community would not compromise on the matter.

“The Chinese are born here and this is our motherland. The Chinese have contributed a lot, towards independence and the development of this multiracial country,” he said.

Ong said the multiracial fabric of Malaysia cannot be placed in jeopardy just because of one “narrow-minded and extremist” individual.

Bullying tactics

Ong was non-committal when asked if Penang MCA would follow in the state Gerakan’s footsteps to formally sever ties with Penang Umno.

“Penang MCA has made a very clear stand. The line is drawn with Ahmad. If this situation is not resolved, and there are further acts that hurt the relationship (between MCA and Umno) I think Penang MCA would not hesitate to take further action,” he said.

On Ahmad’s act of berating Gerakan acting president Koh Tsu Koon yesterday, Ong described it as a “bullying tactic”.

“MCA works on a matter of principle that you must treat all component party leaders (with respect).

We are all rakan (friends) and partners (and) must be treated with equal respect. (Ahmad) should not resort to bullying tactics,” he added.

Yesterday, Ahmad had slammed Koh for allegedly stoking racial tension and challenged Gerakan to leave BN.

One of Ahmad’s supporters then angrily tore up a photograph of Koh in front of the press, before stomping on it.