Keris is out again

Hishammuddin raises controversial Malay dagger, but says it will now be 'retired' 

By Hazlin Hassan, The Straits Times

Mr Hishammuddin kissing the keris – seen as a symbolic threat by Malaysia's minority, non-Malay, races – after unsheathing it for a fourth year at the Umno assembly yesterday. But he did not wave it around as he had in the past. — PHOTOS: REUTERS, THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

OUTGOING Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein yesterday repeated his controversial act of raising a Malay dagger at the movement's meeting, but said later that the keris will now be 'retired'.

Despite complaints that the gesture has made Malaysia's minority races feel uncomfortable, he unsheathed the keris on Wednesday for the fourth year.

Supporters in the meeting hall encouraged him with shouts of 'Allahuakbar' or 'God is great'.

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin even kissed the dagger, but did not wave it about the way he had in the past. Instead, he quickly slid it back into its scabbard – perhaps to deflect some of the flak he was sure to receive.

The Umno Youth chief has repeatedly said that he never meant the weapon to be seen as a threat to non-Malays but raised it in an attempt to unite Malays.

'Now the keris has been handed to me for my personal safekeeping. The keris will no longer be in the hands of the Umno Youth,' he told reporters.

'I hope this will bring closure to an issue that has been blown out of proportion and misunderstood.'

His action was closely watched and discussed by the thousands of Umno delegates who will today decide whether to elect him to a higher post in the party.

Mr Hishammuddin is contesting one of the party's three vice-presidential positions in a crowded race featuring eight leaders.

The son of former premier Hussein Onn, he has led Umno's Youth wing for 11 years.