Kit Siang mocks Najib over Malay unity plea to PAS
By Shannon Teoh
The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 — The DAP’s Lim Kit Siang challenged what he feels is the absurdity of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s call for Malay and Muslim unity, and mocked the prime minister by asking today if Umno would give the nod to Chinese unity talks or similar discourse for other communities as well.
“Is he saying it is okay for Chinese unity talks? Indian, Kadazan, Iban unity talks?” the DAP parliamentary leader questioned.
The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) man was commenting on Najib’s plea yesterday for PAS to revive the idea of a unity government with Umno for the sake of Malay and Muslim unity.
On Monday, PR leaders rejected Umno’s unity government proposal, and proclaimed all issues surrounding the fiasco which brought the fledgling opposition coalition on the brink of collapse resolved.
But the Umno president, in asking PAS not to reject a proposal which would be beneficial to Malay Muslims, had yesterday dismissed the notion that a unity government between the two Malay parties would fly in the face of his 1 Malaysia concept despite concern from non-Muslim groups, including political parties in his Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.
Lim slammed this as ridiculous.
He said a Malay unity agenda would definitely defeat 1 Malaysia which aims to unite all Malaysians.
“We should have Malaysian unity talks instead,” the Ipoh Timur MP stressed, saying that PR continues to be open to discuss pressing national issues in the interest of the country.
He also challenged non-Malay leaders of BN component parties to declare their stand clearly on the matter.
“Do Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon agree that Malay unity talks are not against 1 Malaysia? Why are they so silent on this matter?” he asked.
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Kit Siang: Unity talk IS against 1Malaysia
By Tarani Palani | Jun 25, 09 12:09pm
Malaysiakini
DAP’s parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang today said he did not understand how a Malay unity talk proposed between Umno and PAS was not against the concept of 1Malaysia.
He was referring to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who rejected talks that the proposed unity government between Islamic based PAS and Malay party Umno would go against his 1Malaysia concept.
“The 1Malaysia concept is beyond politics and non-Muslims need not worry if there is indeed a unity government,” he had said yesterday.
Najib’s 1Malaysia concept which he introduced when he assumed power in March is deemed to see Malaysians as one.
Commenting on Najib’s remarks, Lim said he was caught by surprise with the prime minister’s stand that a unity government between Umno and PAS would not go against the 1Malaysia concept.
He asked if the prime minister would then approve other races from opposing political divides to hold their own unity talks.
“Is Najib saying it is alright with Chinese unity talks or Indian unity talks…Iban unity talks?” he asked at a press conference in Parliament today.
Why the silence?
Lim also asked why the other BN component parties were silent on the proposed unity government between Umno and PAS.
“I want to ask MCA, Gerakan, MIC, SAPP. Do you agree that Malay unity talks are not antithetical of the concept of 1Malaysia?
“Why are they so silent on the matter?” he questioned
Lim said that he was prepared to talk about issues that were of national interest, like the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal and the judiciary.
He added that he has voiced this intention in Parliament before. He asked if Najib was willing to hold talks to discuss such matters.
The issue of unity talks leading to the formation of a unity government between Umno and PAS surfaced when the idea was sounded out by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang early this month. Hadi was also backed by his deputy Nasharuddin Mat Isa.
However several other PAS leaders and Pakatan Rakyat leaders were against such talks. Last week Pakatan rejected holding unity talks with Umno.
#1 by ktteokt on Thursday, 25 June 2009 - 3:44 pm
The days of racial politics are numbered and if UMNO still insist on Malay unity, then it should be left behind to rot when GE13 approaches! 13 is considered an unlucky number by Westerners and perhaps by Malaysians.
I was told this superstition originated from the LAST SUPPER where 13 people, including Jesus, attended. Remember Apollo 13? That was one space mission which ended up with the astronauts lost in outer space.
Houses in my housing estate were formerly built without house number 13. Though there 13 roads originally, house numbers did not include No. 13. House No. 15 is built next to house No. 11, No. 13 was skipped.
So, is GE13 going to bring good luck to BN? Let us all wait and see. Not long to wait anyway. Just slightly more than 3 years.
#2 by rabbit on Thursday, 25 June 2009 - 3:54 pm
haiya…. PKFZ is sinking lor… no hopes. to heavy to dig out. MACC again n again throw the stone on it.. who can dig out leh? i am sure those ppl r laugh at the back door. bro LKS you already done the best, even for PKr members too. thanks.
#3 by k1980 on Thursday, 25 June 2009 - 3:59 pm
Jib: No Chinese unity or Indian unity talks!
OTK: Ya, Tuan. May I lick your boots?
KTK: Yes, Your Excellency. You are the greatest PM in the world.
SV: Master, I hear and obey. You are the sun, the moon and the stars in the sky.
#4 by HJ Angus on Thursday, 25 June 2009 - 4:10 pm
I don’t think you can get 100 Malaysians who are not BN cronies to accept this latest idea; especially so soon after the Perak power snatching and the Judiciary’s disgusting compliance to their UMNO overlords.
http://malaysiawatch4.blogspot.com/2009/06/malaysiakini-and-another-take-on-unity.html
#5 by Onlooker Politics on Thursday, 25 June 2009 - 5:42 pm
Perhaps Pakatan Rakyat should also talk to Umno on the new candidate for the post of IGP, in view of Musa Hassan is due for retiring in October 2009 and Musa Hassan is not so suitable to be hired again for additional one one year based on his under-achieved performance!
#6 by TomThumb on Thursday, 25 June 2009 - 6:55 pm
if chinese unite malays will still be in control. simple arithmetics. only nincompoops would find reason to disagree.
#7 by RichardLion on Thursday, 25 June 2009 - 6:59 pm
To all citizens of Malaysia, we are doomed, until we have our next GE, we are now lead by a very confused PM, can’t understand his 1Malaysia concept or he doesn’t has one or he just pretend Bodoh???
#8 by HJ Angus on Thursday, 25 June 2009 - 7:25 pm
I agree that anyone who is nominated for the post of IGP should go through a vetting process by a Select Committee like how they do in the USA.
That way, the person appointed will be able to clear or not clear any misgivings people have about him/her.
We should also stop giving extensions for such posts. If they are really that good, the government may grant a one-year contract but only in advisor’s role.
Read that even the Chief Secretary’s post is being extended after the retirement age. I think this is unfair for the next in line as definitely it will affect pension calculations.
#9 by boh-liao on Thursday, 25 June 2009 - 11:06 pm
“Last week Pakatan rejected holding unity talks with Umno.”
Don’t be so quick n cocksure about this
There are always some Pakatan politicians on the sly
holding unity n other talks with Umno
Opportunity of a life time to make millions lightning quick
#10 by frankyapp on Thursday, 25 June 2009 - 11:20 pm
Like I said before,NR is begging PAS for co-operation to survive on the pretect of Unity talks.NR thinks he can prevail like all his predecessors did using muslim and malays unity as a tool to hockwink them to vote for Umno.That was past and now the malay voters are smart ,they can think for themselves and would not let Umno put words into your mouths.In P.Malaysia ,13 is an unlucky sign.In Sabah our number is the magic 9.Every 9 years,we change our state government.Like I said we have changed 3 state government ie fron Usno to Berjaya to PBS to now Umno/Bn since 1963. In the next GE which is No. 13 for P.Malaysia and co-insidentially in Sabah Umno/Bn has now come to its 9 years of rule,Sabahans and west Malaysian will together create history by voting Umno/Bn out and welcome PR to the Central/Federal government. Let us all pray and wish that this magic formula works.
#11 by chengho on Thursday, 25 June 2009 - 11:35 pm
Do we have the number?
#12 by the reds on Friday, 26 June 2009 - 12:02 am
1Malaysia is a misleading slogan. To public, 1Malaysia means everyone is equal, regardless of the race or religion as long as he/she is a Malaysian! However, this is not meant by Najib! Quota is still here and there! What’s the point of talking 1Malaysia, when race discrimination is still prevalent in the country!
#13 by ekompute on Friday, 26 June 2009 - 6:42 am
Well, I knew all along that 1Malaysia is a ruse. Once it is strong again, 1Malaysia will be unceremoniously discarded. This cartoon at http://malaysian-politics.aseanpedia.com/Blog:1Malaysia best describe 1Malaysia for what it is.
#14 by ekompute on Friday, 26 June 2009 - 6:44 am
“Do Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon agree that Malay unity talks are not against 1 Malaysia? Why are they so silent on this matter?” he asked.
Are slaves allowed to speak out against their masters?
#15 by ctc537 on Friday, 26 June 2009 - 9:13 am
It just shows that Najib has no single-minded determination to make a success of the 1Malaysia concept he initiated a few months ago. By right, what the PM should do is to deal with the country’s Enemy No. 1 – corruption. He can easily win public confidence by nabbing big fish that involve in corruption, and set Royal Commissions of Inquiry to investigate allegations of malpractices, murders, PKFZ fiasco, etc. For the country to progress, all this corruption disease, stumbling blocks must be cured and cleared. Nearly 80% of all Malaysians are the post-Merdeka generations. If it is not towards a 1Malaysia, then which direction is our country heading?
#16 by boh-liao on Friday, 26 June 2009 - 9:32 am
Malaysia truly unique and Umno knows best
Can play the race card, can also play the religion card
Malays unite, muslims unite
Tribal basic instinct above national instinct
Strange thing is non-Umno BN political parties
Sheepishly endorse the tribal instinct of Umno
#17 by monsterball on Friday, 26 June 2009 - 10:11 am
A nickampoo dumb ass.. calling others idiots and me….a retarded person?
He said…..no matter what there will always be a Malay PM.
Even half Indian…half Malay…dare not talk like him..
Mamak said….majority rules but under PR..you ca be sure…all will be treated as Malaysians.
No more games playing. Unity is priority.
TomThumb cannot survive without balls carrying UMNO.
He is a gone case….idiotic racialist.
Retarded has spoken…so let it be written…so let it be done…..hahahahahahaha
#18 by Joshua Tan Kok Hauw on Friday, 26 June 2009 - 1:15 pm
Najib knows that Indian and Chinese Malaysian hate UMNO-dominated BN, so he is trying to give the impression that PAS might join BN in the future and people of Malaysia will not vote for PAS which is actually the greatest threat to BN.
#19 by frankyapp on Friday, 26 June 2009 - 1:57 pm
Two things I want to comment on.#i we can choose the best and cleanest guy to the post of IGP,and that’s chicken feed cos we have plenty of these poeple here to pick.The point is when you put one good guy in a huge bad companies of crooks(Umno/Bn) how long do you think he can last as a clean guy ?. Most IGPs lasted long and you know why.For instance the current one.And #2Okay muslim and malays now are calling for unity talks. I think it’s good for them.Hence don’t you guys think it’s good too to call for all non muslim malays in the county to unity talks?.Hi,am I correct to say our country’s population is 55% muslim/malays and 45% non muslim/malays.If it materialised,it’s wonderful to have a two party system ie one for malays and the other for non malays. The ratio divide is like I said 55/45,wow,isn’t its good for the country as each party needs the other party to form the government.
#20 by penang4u on Friday, 3 July 2009 - 7:11 am
I have been search for the official meaning of 1Malaysia on google. I have been reading major newspapers everyday, searching on internet, and i still cant find the real, official, uniform explaination of 1Malaysia concept. I believe there are many Malaysians like me.
Since Najib failed badly in promoting and explaining 1Malaysia, i believe our leaders in PR can do it in a much better way. There is no official meaning, therefore you can define it anyway you want.