Datuk Ahmad Ismail chief of Bukit Bendera UMNO Division has been heavily criticised on his remark "Chinese are squatters in Malaysia". He however said that his speech had been unfairly reported, and that the essence of his speech has been misconstrued by the reporter. What he meant by "squatters" were referring to the chinese in Malaya, before independence. Fair enough! He had the chance but he blew it. How many pre-independence Chinese are still alive today? Can I call them pre-independence "squatters"? Did he know many Chinese have been staying in Malaysia since 1700s, probably earlier. Are they "squatters" too?
Datuk Ahmad Ismail had call for press conferences. Sadly in every event, he refused to apologize, and continued on with all his racist stands. He in turn diverted the whole issue towards the reporter of a vernacular newspaper and to the disgruntled chinese based parties in Barisan Nasional. One that is worst hit by Ahmad Ismail's statement is the leader of Gerakan, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Khoon.
Dr. Koh's photo was torn to pieces by UMNO's supporters during a press conference. In an act of defiance Ahmad Ismail urged Barisan Nasional leadership to eject Gerakan from the ruling coalition. This make Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi fuming with anger. Abdullah promised to summon Ahmad to meet him and Najib today, to get an explanation from him. Before making any decision on actions to be taken against Ahmad.
In another event. Barisan Nasional MPs were flown to Taiwan yesterday in what was purportedly claimed to be a study trip. However the timing and the haste in organizing the trip make it vividly doubtful. Bung Mokhtar who act as a spokeperson for the group told the media that the trip is not politically motivated. He said the trip is organized not because of fear for September 16th, the date on which Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claim to be a Prime Minister.
The trip was first said to be planned in China, but due to certain circumstances, particularly a delay in obtaining visa, prompted them to change the location to Taiwan. I think for something of this scale, mind you 50MPs to go on an agricultural study visit, it is absurd to change the destination at the last minute. Very odd indeed. China and Taiwan are like Elephant and Pig. What you can learn in both countries should be completely different. An ambitious study trip of this scale should be precedented by proper planning, outlining the area to be visited, coupled with future agricultural direction in Malaysia. Only then we the taxpayers will be satisfied, we will be convinced that somehow the benefit will be accrued to us. Only then we can be hopeful that the visit will bear fruit for us Malaysians. Otherwise, we will think that the trip is a total waste of taxpayers money.
Yes the ministers said the trip is personally funded by each and every MPs. But still their money, their salary, their funds allocated in each constituency are the taxpayers money. We voted them into office to serve the people, but instead they go for a hastily planned agricultural study trip. What a nonsense!
Sad to say Barisan Nasional is showing signs of nearing its demise.
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