by Lim Guan Eng
Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri
Rais Yatim has made a dangerous statement with his false claim that at an
official function he attended in the Penang, only Mandarin and English were
spoken. Rais should not lie like Utusan Malaysia but prove which Penang state
government official function he attended sidelined Bahasa Malaysia
I suspect that the official function that Rais is referring
to is a function in Han Chiang College in Penang where he was the guest of
honour representing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on 29 September
2011. I would like to remind Rais that Han Chiang College is a privately run
college and the function was organised by Han Chiang and NOT by the state
government.
Rais’ claims that he was the only one talking in the national
language and a little bit of English, is untrue. I had also spoken in Bahasa
Malaysia, English and Mandarin. Why did Rais not mention that I also spoke in
Bahasa Malaysia? If Rais was unhappy with the manner Han Chiang organised the
event, why then did he not convey his unhappiness with Han Chiang? Why did he
not demand an explanation from Han Chiang?
Apologise
if you cannot show proof
Instead Rais has chosen to unfairly blame the state
government for a function that is organised by a private college. Making false
allegations against the Penang state government is clearly intended to play the
racist sentiment that Penang does not appreciate Bahasa Malaysia and not good
for national unity. Rais had even urged the Malays in Penang to question this
event.
If Rais can prove which Penang state government official
function attended by him did not use Bahasa Malaysia, the Penang state
government will act to correct this mistake. However if he fails to show proof,
then he should withdraw his remarks and apologise. Otherwise he would be
exposed as a man without honour and even a racist for trying to use this lie to
work up the sentiments of the Malays.
The Penang state government wishes to express dismay at the
systematic and serial attempts to undermine the Penang state government with
lies and racist sentiments. Even though this is to be expected in the general
elections season, raising the racial temperature is not only desperate but a
highly irresponsible and reckless act that threatens the harmony and stability
of our society.
Media
attack
Even if BN wants to win the general elections, this victory
should be with honour based on truth and not lies.
I am surprised at the ferocity of BN’s latest attacks against
the Penang state government and me personally. I will not reply to Rais
personal attacks against me. Rais attack follows the ludicrous report in the
New Straits Times(NST) and Utusan Malaysia on 2.10.2011 that I may have
disclosed national secrets to Singaporeans at a dinner and even questioned my
loyalty to my country.
I can not understand why my loyalty to Malaysia is questioned
by the NST news report when I do not possess any Australian PR even though I
graduated from Monash University. Shouldn’t it be BN leaders who have
Australian PR who should have their loyalty questioned in the NST news report?
Datuk Seri Rais, the ball is in your court, what say you?
- Lim Guan Eng is the DAP secretary-general and Penang Chief
Minister
Source : MC
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