Gerakan Wanita chief Tan Lian Hoe was attacked in the House by a Barisan Nasional (BN) colleague who claimed that she had “manipulated the facts” in her remarks on the status of bumiputeras at the party annual congress two weeks ago.

dr hatta ramli 01 It all started when she responded to a supplementary question by Hatta Ramli (PAS-Kubang Kerian) who asked the Information Ministry to explain why state-owned television station RTM has “aired racial issues”.

“From what I have observed, I notice that the RTM news bulletin stirs up racial issues. This will prevent us from preserving harmony and unity,” Hatta said during Question time this morning.

gerakan ndc 101008 tan lian hoe Responding in her capacity as deputy information minister, Tan said RTM “has never stirred up any racial issues - that’s not true”.

However, Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) then interjected to claim that Tan had herself played up racial issues, alluding to remarks she had reportedly made during the Gerakan annual congress.

“As deputy information minister yourself, you have manipulated the facts on bumiputeras in this country!” he thundered, drawing thumps on the desks from other BN backbenchers.

Tan, who managed to keep her composure, tried to assure BN representatives that the matter had been settled.

mohamad aziz sri gading mp Mohamad was not convinced and pursued the matter.

“How could it be settled? It can never be settled! Do not manipulate the facts!” he exclaimed.

Tan denied having said “the Malays are pendatang (migrants)” during her keynote speech at the party assembly.

‘Let me explain’

The exchange forced Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia to try and calm the situation, saying: “YB, you don’t have to answer that, it has nothing to do with the (supplementary) question.”

Tan: Allow me to explain. For me, this issue should no longer be discussed...

Mohamad: I will not back down! This is a question about (my) race! If it is about (my) race, I will not back down!

The Speaker then ended the spat.

Tan had reportedly said the Malays had come to Malaya from “Nusantara", the Chinese from China and the Indians from India, adding that the Orang Asli are the true natives of the land but that they have been marginalised.

Although the statement has upset many quarters within Umno, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Tan should be given a chance to explain herself before BN decides on her fate.