Soi Lek Reminded Not To Make Offensive Statements

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday reminded MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek not to make statements that can cause anger or are prejudicial to other races.
Muhyiddin, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy chairman, said Dr Chua should be more open minded and concerned about the sensitivities and needs of other races in the country.
"Fighting for the interests of one's race is one's right but it should not be at the expense of the interests of other races.
"Umno, fights for the interests of Malays but also takes into consideration the welfare of other races. As such, do not cause uneasiness and anger just because you want to defend the rights of others," he told reporters after launching the "Skim Prihatin 1Wilayah Persekutuan" programme, here Monday.
Muhyiddin said this when asked to comment on Dr Chua's statement on Monday that MCA would not be afraid of sharing similar views with the DAP in terms of the interests of the Chinese community or choose to run away from making a stand.
Muhyiddin said any BN component party could champion its own interests but should not touch on the sensitivities of other component parties or races as this could lead to misunderstandings within the coalition.
He said anything the MCA fought for was just as important to the BN because it was part of the coalition.
"I do not think MCA will sacrifice the team spirit in the BN and take the side of the DAP," he said.
On Dr Chua's speech at the Malaysian Chinese Economic Congress on Saturday calling for the Bumiputera equity target of 30 per cent to be reduced in stages, Muhyiddin said it was not reasonable as the target had yet to be achieved.
The programme launched Monday is an initiative of Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan and is aimed at helping city dwellers in the event there is a death in the family.
It is open to registered voters here and requires a one-time fee of RM5. Families will be eligible to receive RM2,500 in financial aid in the event of death of a family member.
At the function, Muhyiddin also handed over financial aid in conjunction with Ramadan to 320 needy people consisting of old folk, single mothers and orphans.
Also present were his wife Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman and Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Senator Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.

tunku : well done muhyiddin.thank God the deputy president is brave enough not like the vice president.