Malaysian slammed for calling Chinese 'immigrants'

The Associated Press , Kuala Lumpur | Wed, 09/03/2008 4:48 PM | World

Ethnic Chinese politicians denounced Wednesday a Malaysian ruling party official who reportedly described the minority Chinese as "immigrants" who should not receive equal treatment with the Malay Muslim majority.

The uproar has rekindled debate about the rights of ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities, who have grown increasingly vocal about alleged government discrimination in economic, social and religious policies.

Ahmad Ismail, a Malay northern district chief in the United Malays National Organization party, incensed minorities after local media quoted him as telling a largely Malay audience in a speech on Aug. 25 that "as the Chinese were only immigrants, it was impossible to achieve equal rights among races."

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak made a rare public apology to minorities late Tuesday, saying Ahmad's statement was "totally unwarranted and does not reflect the position and the attitude" of the ruling party.

"We regret it very much," Najib was quoted as saying by the national news agency Bernama. "They (the minorities) are Malaysian citizens who have full rights and we will definitely safeguard their interests and their dignity."

Salleh Mat Rasid, a state police official, said authorities planned to question Ahmad for possible sedition after five people filed police complaints against him, Bernama reported. Sedition is punishable by three years in prison.

Most ethnic Chinese and Indian Malaysians are descendants of 19th and early 20th century immigrants who arrived in the Southeast Asian nation as traders, laborers and miners during British colonial rule. The Chinese now comprise a quarter of Malaysia's 27 million people, while Indians form less than 10 percent.

Malays, who constitute about 60 percent of the population, enjoy a host of privileges in jobs, education and business as part of affirmative action policies launched in 1970.

Growing dissatisfaction about racial favoritism prompted many ethnic Chinese and Indians to vote against the government in March general elections. Many Malays also backed the opposition, causing the ruling coalition to retain power with only a simple parliamentary majority.

Gerakan, an ethnic Chinese-based party in the ruling coalition, said in a statement that the furor over Ahmad's comments proved the government "will continue to lose support ... if (the ruling party) continues to harbor leaders who make racist statements."

The government "cannot allow Ahmad to escape with just a slap on the wrist," the party said.

Opposition lawmaker Lim Kit Siang called Najib's apology "inadequate and unacceptable," saying Ahmad should not "get off scot-free instead of facing the full weight of the law." (amr)