BN row to be solved internally, says Najib

Datuk Seri Najib Razak moved today to end the racially-charged spat between Umno and MCA, pledging to resolve the public disagreement involving Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders internally.

The prime minister also told coalition leaders to be careful when issuing public statements so as not to hurt the feelings of any community.

“Whatever the problem, we will solve it in the spirit of Barisan Nasional. I believe we are an experienced party and are able to manage any problem,” Najib (picture) told a press conference here.

“They can discuss anytime, and as the BN chairman I will allocate the time for all component parties to express their views and recommendations,” he added.

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek was recently caught in a verbal war with Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein over issues affecting the Chinese community.

“I understand that sometimes they are forced to make public statements. I understand. But I hope all parties will realise that our audience out there, those who listen to our speeches, are Malaysians and anything we say we have to take into account the reaction of other racial groups,” said Najib.

The Umno-MCA war escalated after the Chinese-based party attempted to push hard for the abolishment of the 30 per cent Bumiputera equity target.

During the MCA’s Chinese Economic Congress over the weekend, the party had also called for economic liberalisation and a merits-based and needs-based system to enhance Malaysia’s competitive edge in the global arena.

This raised the ire of several Malay leaders, including Malay rights group Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali, who warned that Umno would lose Malay votes if it bent to the MCA’s will.

Both Muhyiddin and Hishammuddin joined the fray later, sternly reminding Dr Chua not to forget the BN’s struggles when fighting for the rights of the Chinese community.

Muhyiddin also reminded the MCA that the unfair distribution of wealth had resulted in the 1969 racial riots, the worst in the multi-racial country’s history.

Without missing a beat, Dr Chua shot back with a retaliation of his own, citing his disappointment with Muhyiddin for using the 1969 riots to warn him.

He also said that Hishammuddin’s response was an indication that “some BN leaders” had failed to learn from the coalition’s failures in Election 2008, which saw it lose its two-thirds parliamentary majority.

Dr Chua also said he was not afraid to share views with political foe DAP, provided it was for the good of the community.

On the MCA’s push to abolish the Bumiputera equity target, Najib said the government’s challenge is to manage the expectations of the different racial groups.

“Malays may feel they are still weak economically and still require government’s assistance through policies. At the same time the Chinese may have different considerations,” said Najib.

“So, one of our challenges is to manage this political dichotomy in our community,” he added.



comments


Yah...just sweep problems under the carpet and pretend the problems do not exist!! This has been happening the past numerous years!!!
A more courageous leadership would be to state your stand unequivocally...

Aleady expected it! Najib will tell all to keep quiet and they look as though Muhyddin, Hsiam and CSL is championg the cause of the voters.

Wayang Kulit in UMNO and BN!