DAP dares Gerakan, MCA to quit BN over Ahmad Ismail’s return
By Adib Zalkapli, The Malaysian Insider
DAP leaders today challenged leading Barisan Nasional (BN) parties, Gerakan and MCA, to make their stand known on Umno’s decision to lift the suspension of controversial Penang warlord Datuk Ahmad Ismail.
“Are they willing to quit Barisan Nasional?” asked Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran.
Yesterday, The Malaysian Insider reported that former Bukit Bendera Umno chief, Ahmad, who was suspended in September last year for uttering a racist remark, has been reinstated into the party last Friday.
“I am not shocked at all by the decision,” Kulasegaran told reporters in Parliament here.
Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong wondered what message Umno is trying to send when lifting the suspension.
“I want to know the view of Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon as the minister in charge of national integration, and what message Umno is sending,” said Liew.
While Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua said the decision indicates that Umno is not serious in adopting the 1 Malaysia concept.
“Is Umno still holding on to its Ketuanan Melayu ideology, or has it truly accepted the 1 Malaysia concept?” Pua questioned.
He added that 1 Malaysia, which was introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to promote national unity, must also be adopted by Umno.
