Hishammuddin welcomes action against Paranjothy

(Bernama) — Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has welcomed the move by Gerakan to initiate disciplinary action against its National Youth vice-chairman S. Paranjothy over his racially sensitive remarks against Umno.

Hishammuddin said this reflected Gerakan's stand and the Barisan Nasional (BN) spirit in dealing with the issue.

"That's the stand of the leadership of a BN component party when something that should not have happened did happen," he told reporters after visiting several schools here today.

On his statement that Umno Youth may consider severing ties with Gerakan if the movement was dissatisfied with the explanation over Paranjothy's remarks, Hishammuddin said it was not a threat against anyone.

"It was not a threat, I was merely stating the facts. I've never threatened anyone when it comes to matters involving the truth or the party," he said.

According to Hishammuddin, he did not intend to turn the issue into a racial polemic as he was merely concerned with addressing false accusations levelled against the leadership of Umno Youth and Umno itself.

To a question, he said it was not for him to say whether or not Paranjothy should remain in Gerakan or the BN.

"That's not my prerogative. If he were an Umno Youth member, I would have sacked him," he said.