‘Chinese Not Pendatang’ To ‘Do Not Insult Leaders’: 7 Remarks Najib Made Today
PM Najib today addressed the delegates at the Gerakan's 44th National Delegates Conference in Shah Alam, touching on various issues ranging from insensitive remarks from UMNO and BN party members to the issue of making 1MDB a political football by the opposition to overthrow the government. We round up remarks from his speech.
Cover image via The Star1. PM Najib Razak told the local Chinese community that they are not "pendatang", calling them instead the "sons of Malaysia"
"As far as I'm concerned, Malaysian Chinese have contributed to the development of Malaysia, to the growth of Malaysia, to the spectacular growth of Malaysia, you played your part. That is why you are not 'pendatang'. You are the sons of Malaysia," he said, adding, "You were born here, you grew up here, and when the time comes, when you die, you'll be buried here. Or your ashes will be scattered somewhere in Malaysia."
2. On Chinese schools, Najib reiterated that they "are here to stay"
3. While admitting that some UMNO and BN leaders might have made inflammatory remarks in the past, he claimed that it was done in response to the insults issued by "the other side" (opposition)
Image via Today Online
4. On the issue of 1MDB, PM Najib Razak said that Malaysians should not turn it into a referendum to change the government, adding that public support was needed for 1MDB to be resolved
5. He advised Gerakan members to be more active on social media
6. The PM took a swipe at the opposition state governments today, saying that even they found it necessary to raise charges imposed on the people. Among others, Najib said that Penang has raised its development charges, water tariffs, and parking fees.
Image via Afif Abd Halim/TMI
7. On the issue of accusations that Malaysia is a police state, the Prime Minister challenged critics to check his record of Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA) detentions against that of his predecessors
Image via Malaysiakini
While Najib did abolish the draconian ISA, the law has been replaced by the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.
And the recent use of SOSMA against Khairuddin Abu Hassan and his lawyer Matthias Chang has led to criticism that the new law is being abused as well, in ways reminiscent of the repealed ISA.
Also, as Malaysiakini notes, the Primie Minister notably U-turned on his pre-election promise to abolish the equally dreaded Sedition Act.
As of last March, Political Studies for Change (KPRU) counted at least 120 had been either detained for investigation, remanded or charged under the Act or other similarly oppressive laws. The latest victim is activist Khalid Mohd Ismath, 25, who was last week slapped with 14 charges in relation to a posting regarding the Johor royalty.
